Pokémon Go: corporate threat?

A  U.S. employment and law company, BLR, is taking the Pokémon Go craze seriously and offering a webinar to warn companies about the game’s “serious HR, cyber security and safety concerns.”

They explain how the game works: “[A]t physical locations called “PokéStops,” Pokémon Go players are tasked with finding and catching the elusive Pokémon characters. If a Pokémon is close by, the user’s smart phone vibrates and displays the virtual creature, which can be caught by tapping the screen and throwing a Poké Ball at it. PokéStops can be found almost anywhere — monuments, restaurants — and yes, in your office, your warehouse, or other facility.”

Sounds like fun, but they say Niantic, which makes the app, has only now resolved a software issue that previously gave Pokémon Go virtually unlimited access to the user’s private smartphone data.  BLR says, “This is particularly concerning where employees may be using company-owned business only (COBO) or bring your own device to work (BYOD) smart phones to download and play the game.”

They also say that playing the game could pose personal health risks for employees.

To help companies  ward off the dangers, BLR is offering a live webinar on September 6  at 2.00-3.00 p.m. Eastern time / 11:00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Pacific time.

The webinar will address “the unique risks Pokémon Go and similar apps present and will provide practical strategies for protecting your employees and the integrity of your corporate data.”

To find out more, click here.