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Pokemon Go ‘is blasphemous’ Indian court told

The PIL cites an example of police in Missouri, US solving a case of robbery which was conducted by robbers using geo-location futures of “Pokemon Go”. San Francisco-based developer of the game, Niantic Inc. and Central and state governments have been made the respondents. Although not officially launched in India, the game has built up a substantial fanbase in the country.

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The presence of non-vegetarian food is prohibited in many Indian temples and the petitioner felt that even the digital presence of eggs at religious places hurts their sentiments.

The allegation arose from the fact that images of eggs show up on smartphones inside places of worship.

Lawyer Nachiket Dave argued that the game offended the religious sensibilities of Hindus and Jains – some of whom do not eat meat or other animal products – by giving players virtual eggs, including in places of worship.

The petition also mentioned the players trying to find Pokemon creatures as additional reasons for banning the game infringement of privacy, and a possible danger of life. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Australia, Portugal, Bosnia, Turkey are some of the countries that do not allow gamers to play Pokemon Go.

As per the Rules framed under Section 43A of the Information Technology Act of 2000, companies accessing “sensitive personal data or information” must implement “reasonable security practices and procedures”.

“.to desist from depicting collection of Eggs from temples or any other places of religious worship”.

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The court after hearing the petitioner issued notice in the matter.

Participants use their smartphones as they play the gaming app Pokemon Go during a ‘PokeWalk’ in Hong Kong