The conspiracy theory freaking out Pokemon Go players:

On Tuesday (AEST), US news website Gawker alleged [ Pokemon Go]'s creator, Niantec, was linked to the CIA . This followed reports spawned by blogger Adam Reeve claiming Pokemon Go commanded a list of intrusive tracking permissions for gameplay. John Hanke is Niantec’s CEO. He created software called Keyhole in 2001 and Gawker based much of its theory on Mr Hanke’s business dealings.

Keyhole was funded by a CIA venture capital firm . Most of the money used to fund Keyhole came from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

The NGA’s primary function is “collecting, analysing, and distributing geospatial intelligence”. Keyhole was then purchased by Google and became Google Earth. Google Earth helps power Pokemon Go. Then, this passage in Pokemon Go‘s privacy policy sent internet conspiracy theorists buzzing. It read: “ We may disclose any information about you (or your authorised child) that is in our possession or control to government or law enforcement officials or private parties .” [basically to anyone for any reason]

Pokemon Go tracked users‘ location, phone storage, Google account information (if you’ve joined that way), camera, contacts and activity recognition – among other access requests

Wow. That one was new to me.

Extraordinarily creepy, but makes perfect sense given what we know about the CIA, their methods and how they function.

Thank you anon.

This is why I love voat.

Same difference.