NY State Bans Sex Offenders From Using Pokemon GO

New York State will restrict sex offenders from using Pokemon GO and similar games due to concerns that the games can make children vulnerable to predators.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the Department of Corrections to try to limit sex offenders from using Pokemon GO. Gov. Cuomo also wrote a letter to Niantic, Inc, the game's software developer, asking them to find ways to prevent sex offenders from playing Pokemon GO.

"Protecting our children and ensuring their safety is our top priority, and the State of New York is moving swiftly to respond to troubling news that young children using Pokémon GO are being steered to locations in close proximity to, or even at, sex offender residences." Cuomo said in a statement.

"Also at my direction, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has imposed a new condition of parole for sex offenders under community supervision," Cuomo went on to say. "This new condition will prohibit them from downloading, accessing, or otherwise engaging in any Internet enabled gaming activities, including Pokémon GO."

The Department of Justice Services will also reach out to Apple and Google to inform them of these public safety concerns and work with them to enhance user safety. Software developers that operate mobile games like Pokémon GO should be entitled to the same information that is regularly shared with companies like Facebook, Apple and Microsoft, the release from the Cuomo's office stated.

In 2008, Governor Cuomo introduced the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act to protect New York’s children from online predators. The legislation mandates that sex offenders register and keep up-to-date all current email accounts, screen names, and any other internet identifiers with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.