Niantic’s unbelievably popular Pokemon Go app came under the scanner after Principal Architect at RedOwl Analytics, Adam Reeve found out that the game was granting itself full access to the user’s Google account. When users sign into the iOS app via Google, the app takes full access to their Google accounts. This understandably caused furore, and Niantic has now issued a statement acknowledging the error.
(Also see: Pokemon Go Is Responsible for These Real Life Weird and Scary Things)
The company says that it is aware of the error, and is looking to work out a fix soon. “We recently discovered that the Pokémon Go account creation process on iOS erroneously requests full access permission for the user’s Google account. However, Pokémon Go only accesses basic Google profile information (specifically, your User ID and email address) and no other Google account information is or has been accessed or collected.”
(Also see: How to Download, Install, and Play Pokemon Go Right Now)
“Once we became aware of this error, we began working on a client-side fix to request permission for only basic Google profile information, in line with the data that we actually access. Google has verified that no other information has been received or accessed by Pokémon Go or Niantic. Google will soon reduce Pokémon Go’s permission to only the basic profile data that Pokémon Go needs, and users do not need to take any actions themselves,” the company wrote on its support page.
(Also see: Playing Pokemon Go in India? Here’s Everything You Need to Know)
This comes as a relief, as the game has picked up much fan following in a short period of time. There is no timeline from the makers as to when the fix will roll out, so if you’re antsy about personal information, it’s best to revoke full access till Google or Niantic reduces permission. To do that, just sign into Google, and head over to App Permissions to remove access to Pokemon Go.
(Also see: Pokemon Go Cheatsheet: 10 Things to Know About the Game That Has Everyone Hooked)
The game has been launched officially only in Australia, New Zealand, and the US countries so far, but has been illegitimately installed the world over. If you have been reading Gadgets 360, you already know how to download, install, and play Pokemon Go even if you don’t live in those regions.
