According to the BBC, Pokemon GO has been banned in Iran due to “security concerns”. While many countries have expressed concern with the game’s global data access, Iran is the first country to ban the game entirely.
Last month, Iranian authorities offered to see how developer Niantic Inc. would work with country’s restrictions on internet use before banning the game altogether. The ban is aimed at promoting the safety of children as well as the security of the country.
This isn’t the first run-in the Pokemon franchise has had with Middle Eastern government. In the early 2000s, Pokemon cards were banned for promoting non-Islamic symbols and ideals to children. These were thought to “possess the minds” of children.
There have been several security issues in other countries regarding Pokemon GO, such as:
- Police officers in Indonesia banned from playing on duty
- New York state authorities would attempt to ban sex offenders from Pokemon GO
