Since Pokémon Go launched earlier this month it has taken the world by storm and has already been reported as the most downloaded smartphone app in the United States. It has created a phenomenon on social media, and it’s impossible to look at social media without seeing a post declaring someone’s love or hate for Pokémon Go. Although the game has been incredibly popular, it has received a mixed critical reception and attracted negative attention due to reports of accidents, security issues and public nuisance associated with it. According to the Twitter Heat Map on our Social Listening platform, most of the negative online conversations around the crime, injuries and privacy issues associated with Pokémon Go, were coming from the East Coast.
Pokémon related news reports and posts circulating throughout social media included luring players to dangerous places, finding a loaded gun and even finding a dead body. Who knew that a fun and engaging game about catching Pokémon could lead to tragic events? We again used Social Listening to turn to social media to pull data based on three topics: Privacy, Crime, and Injuries.
According to our Social Listening tool, Pokémon Go users are most concerned about their privacy being breached. Many early iOS installs of Pokémon Go required users to provide the app with full access to their Google accounts, thereby allowing the app to access players’ Gmail-based email, Google Drive based files, photos, and videos stored in Google Photos and any other content within their Google accounts.
Let’s take a look at some examples of what people were saying on Twitter.
Privacy:
Just revoked Pokemon Go access to my Google Account.
That was short lived. Privacy is no joke these days. I’ll pass to stay secure.
— Trevor Leon (@trevorleon) July 12, 2016
Re Pokemon and its horrible data practices: It’s not “just a game” — it’s also a deliberate and deep invasion of your privacy.
— Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) July 11, 2016
Crime:
Welcome to St. Clair Shores where the biggest crime here is staying on private property after dark playing Pokemon.
— Sean VanWambeke (@SeanVanWambeke) July 13, 2016
There are so many pokemon crime/accident/gun/body-found stories at this point they need their own tumblr
— Hasani Gittens (@hgitty) July 13, 2016
Injuries:
Can’t get enough of Pokémon stories. Please send me anything you find on wrecks/injuries/crimes/relationships/etc. caused by this dumb game.
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) July 13, 2016
Why do you think there’s been so many injuries and accidents with Pokemon Go? People stay inside for a reason.
— Jamie Pine (@JamesMathewPine) July 11, 2016
Interested in seeing how our Social Listening platform was able to pull these social insights about Pokémon Go? Request a demo to learn more.