Those who don’t have American friends to help them access Pokemon GO are rushing to third-party apps that allow them to get in on the game. But, as the Better Business Bureau warns, malware and privacy concerns mean it’s not all fun and games.
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“Whilst minor injuries have already been reported overseas, ACC is yet to receive any Zubat, Pikachu or other Pokemon related claims, and we don’t want you to be the first”, says ACC in a statement.
Essentially, players walk around until their phone alerts them to a pokemon’s presence and they they attempt to catch it by flicking pokeballs in its general direction.
Pokemon Go is a smartphone-based augmented reality game in which players are required to visit “PokeStops” and “PokeGyms” dotted around public spaces to collect valuable items and battle other opponents. The creator of the game – Niantic – says no personal information has been accessed, and it is issuing a fix to address the problem.
The behaviour has sparked a string of obvious warnings from police, including that people should not stand in the middle of busy roads as part of their search.
ACC also issued its own warning to players, with the corporation reminding people to use common sense while they’re out and about catching pokemon.
“Around Park Ridge, we have also seen large groups congregating near busy roadways, while on their devices playing the game”.
Because the game forces people to travel throughout neighborhoods to advance further in the game, safety concerns have come up.
Safety: Players should use the same safety precautions while playing the game that they would in any other outdoor setting, including caution in odd locations.
Parents – tell your kids about stranger-danger.
The addictive game, say BBB officials, can also be a drain on the wallet.
Never Pokemon Go and drive. The goal is still the same with Pokemon Go, except this time you’re not playing on a screen, you’re actually walking up and down in the real world to catch Pokemon.
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“I would say in a way it is safer”.
