Pokémon Go data used to train military drone AI systems
Reports alleging that Pokémon Go players' location data and AR scans were used to train military drone navigation AI systems have circulated, though the companies involved denied the accusation. Players reportedly had no knowledge their voluntarily submitted data could support military applications.
What happened
Pokémon Go players' AR scan data was reportedly used to train AI systems for military drones, according to reports from Dutch outlets Trouw and Volkskrant. The roughly 30 billion scans players created while playing Pokémon Go were used to help develop navigation models for drones and other military robots.
Niantic Spatial, which owns the original scans following Niantic's acquisition by Saudi-owned Scopely, entered into an agreement with Vantor, a provider of spatial intelligence that works with defense and intelligence industries.
Reported impact
Pokémon Go fans have expressed concern that pictures they took of PokéStops could be used to assist in military applications, including drone strikes. Many players had not realized their voluntarily submitted AR scans could be used for military purposes.
Index analysis
Niantic Spatial and Vantor have both denied that Pokémon Go data was used in the creation of the military navigation model. Niantic Spatial stated that Pokémon Go scans were part of an 'early version' of its own navigation model and that Go data is not shared with Niantic Spatial since the company was spun off following the Scopely acquisition.
Governance controls
Players who submitted AR scans had opted into the feature voluntarily and were subject to applicable Terms of Service and Privacy Policy at the time of submission. Niantic Spatial stated that AR scans collected through Pokémon Go were submitted with player consent.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.