Defense Department officials on Friday said employees should not download the game “Pokemon Go” onto their government-issued smartphones.
“You can imagine a number of reasons (why) that wouldn’t necessarily be a prudent thing to do,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Gordon Trowbridge told reporters. “Aside from any security concerns, I think taxpayers would appreciate government phones being used for government business.”
“Pokemon Go” is an augmented-reality app through which users hunt digitized animal characters that have been scattered around the world, often in unlikely locations.
The game has become a global craze, with crowds of players dashing to locations to try to snag characters.
Several military installations have warned troops about the possible perils of playing “Pokemon Go” on bases, including near runways.
Trowbridge jokingly said he could not definitively confirm reports that a Pokemon “gym” — a virtual battle arena — has been placed in the courtyard in the middle of the Pentagon building.
“Last I heard, there was still a gym in center courtyard. I’m not a player myself, so I will defer to others,” Trowbridge said.
“I can confirm it,” quipped Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis.
