POKEMON GO TRIGGERS NATIONWIDE CONCERNS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 26 (Antara) - Despite not being officially launched in Indonesia, many are playing the "Pokemon Go" game through a third-party application, and this has raised concerns among several quarters of the nation.          Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu had remarked on Monday last week that "Pokemon Go," an online mobile phone-based gaming application, can be a cause of concern for others in society.          Indonesians have been joining the frenzy of Pokemon Go since the past two weeks. Pokemon Go, which is gaining growing popularity, was developed for iOS and Android devices and makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the camera of compatible devices.          The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual creatures called Pokemons, such as a cuddly yellow Pikachu, who appears on device screens as though it is in the real world.          However, Indonesia views the Pokemon Go gaming application as a potential security threat to the nation.