Saudi telecom authority warns ‘Pokemon Go’ users of privacy violations

Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has warned Pokemon Go users of potential security and privacy violations.

The telecom regulator has claimed that similar games and apps that use phone cameras and can transmit user locations via GPS pose as a threat to user privacy and security.

Pokemon Go enthusiasts were urged by the commission to “carefully watch” where they use the app, particularly when at home or other private locations.

Pokemon Go has gone viral since it was launched by Nintendo in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand on July 6. The game, which allows users to train and catch virtual creatures in real life settings, has exceeded 10 million downloads on Android and IOS devices, according to data compiled by Argaam.

Other countries in the Gulf region and the Middle East have also warned of security dangers and transfer of sensitive information via the widely-used app.