The Deputy Chief Justice of the country has announced the ban on the game 'Pokemon Go' in Iran, stating that none of the members of the working group for determining criminal content opposed the ban. Abdolsamad Khorramabadi said on Friday (August 6) to the 'Tasnim' news agency that 'Pokemon Go' is considered a 'dangerous' game in Iran and many other countries. He added that 'most countries have dealt with this game, and it has been banned in many places.' This official described 'Pokemon Go' as a combination of 'virtual and physical gaming' that 'has various flaws and issues.' According to the secretary of the working group for determining criminal content, this game 'can also create many security problems for the country and the people.' Abdolsamad Khorramabadi also mentioned that the Computer Games Foundation has stated that the game does not have any 'content issues.' He noted that 'the Computer Games Foundation may not have looked at this game from all aspects.' The National Foundation of Computer Games announced earlier in August that the release of 'Pokemon Go' in Iran is contingent upon the approval of security agencies. This foundation had set two conditions for the release of the game in Iran: one being the placement of Iranian users' servers within the country and the other being the determination of the game's locations in coordination with this foundation. Furthermore, this foundation stated that 'Pokemon Go' has aspects beyond mere 'entertainment' that relate to security and social issues and may cause 'disruption to public order or security.' The craze for the computer game 'Pokemon Go' has swept the world in recent weeks; this game is based on virtual reality technology, and participants hunt imaginary creatures using their mobile devices' GPS and camera. The game has generated $35 million in profit for its creators within just three weeks. A financial data analysis company has estimated that 'Pokemon Go' will bring nearly $3 billion in profit for Apple over the next year. Reports indicate that this game has become a cultural and technological phenomenon in just three weeks.
The Game 'Pokemon Go' Has Been Banned in Iran
'Pokemon Go' has been banned in Iran due to concerns over its safety and potential security issues. Abdolsamad Khorramabadi, a government official, stated that the game poses various flaws and could disrupt public order. The ban reflects ongoing tensions between entertainment technology and state security in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran has banned the game 'Pokemon Go' due to concerns over its potential to disrupt public order and security. The Deputy Chief Justice stated that the game is considered dangerous and has been banned in many other countries as well.
- The ban was announced on August 6, 2023.
- The National Foundation of Computer Games had previously set conditions for the game's release, including server location and security coordination.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of regulating digital content to maintain social order and security, often viewing foreign entertainment as a potential threat. 'Pokemon Go' utilizes augmented reality, which raises unique concerns for a government wary of public gatherings and surveillance.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%