"Pokemon Go" is no longer a go in Iran

By Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.11.16

Word Count 525

Iranians play on the "Pokemon Go" app in Tehran's Mellat Park on August 3, 2016. Iran was quick to ban the global
gaming craze but, as with many of the Islamic republic's Internet controls, tech-savvy youngsters have carried on
regardless. Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Citing security concerns about the use of location-based virtual reality technology in
"Pokemon Go," Iran has banned the mobile game. It is the rst country to do so.
Any game that wants to operate nationwide in Iran needs to obtain permission from the
ministry of culture and Islamic guidance, and the 'Pokemon Go' app has not yet requested
such a permission, said Abolhasan Firouzabadi. He is the head of Irans supreme council
of virtual space. This government body monitors Internet usage in Iran.

Says "Pokemon Go" Poses Security Problems

A senior judicial ofcial, Abdolsamad Khorramabadi, said last week that the augmented
reality game posed a security problem. He added that the countrys intelligence agency
approved of the ban.
There are many problems with the game and security-wise, it can create problems for the
country and our people, a news agency quoted Khorramabadi as saying.
Irans tech-savvy young people quickly embraced the game, which has become a global
phenomenon since its release last month.

Ofcials had previously hinted that they may allow the game to function in Iran if its data
servers are transferred inside the country and if certain locations are excluded. Those
requests have not been acknowledged by the makers of "Pokemon Go."

Users Sidestep Internet Filtering

Internet ltering, the practice of blocking citizens' access to certain websites and content,
is common in Iran. However, this practice has not stopped millions of users from accessing
blocked apps and websites. Iranians use anti-ltering software to bypass state restrictions.
They have been able to adapt quickly to setbacks, often migrating in huge numbers from
one platform to another when a block is introduced. The success of the messaging app
Telegram, which is used by 1 in 4 Iranians, is proof of that.
Millions of Iranians are also on Facebook and Twitter, despite access to both social media
sites being blocked by the Iranian government. In recent years, authorities have resorted
to smart ltering. Through this practice, the government can censor certain types of
content without entirely blocking the websites where it appears. Smart ltering seems to be
replacing the traditional blocking of online services in Iran. For example, the photo-sharing
app Instagram and messaging app Telegram remain accessible, but ofcials say that
content deemed inappropriate has been blocked.
Using anti-ltering software affects connectivity speeds, and it is not clear if its use would
be possible when playing "Pokemon Go."
The decision on ltering, however, does not rest solely in the governments hands. Other
institutions that act independently of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's
administration, such as the judiciary, also carry a great deal of weight.

The Ban Is Mocked

Mana Neyestani is a prominent Iranian cartoonist. He reacted to the ban by drawing a
cartoon depicting a "Pokemon Go" character eeing from the Iranian morality police. These
undercover ofcers patrol the streets of Iran to make sure that people are following
conservative codes of behavior.
One Iranian user joked on Twitter that it was difcult to focus while walking on the streets in
Iran. "You have to both look around to hunt Pokemon and also watch not being hunted
yourself by the morality police," the user said.

Quiz
1

Read the selection from the article.

Internet ltering, the practice of blocking citizens' access to certain

websites and content, is common in Iran. However, this practice has
not stopped millions of users from accessing blocked apps and
websites.
Which sentence from the article provides the BEST evidence to support the statement above?

(A)

Iranians use anti-ltering software to bypass state restrictions.

(B)

The success of the messaging app Telegram, which is used by 1 in 4

Iranians, is proof of that.

(C)

Using anti-ltering software affects connectivity speeds, and it is not clear if

its use would be possible when playing "Pokemon Go."

(D)

"You have to both look around to hunt Pokemon and also watch not being
hunted yourself by the morality police," the user said.

Read the selection from the article.

Ofcials had previously hinted that they may allow the game to
function in Iran if its data servers are transferred inside the country and
if certain locations are excluded. Those requests have not been
acknowledged by the makers of "Pokemon Go."
Which of the following can be inferred from the above?
(A)

The government wants to control the content of the game, but the game's
creators are not going to allow that.

(B)

The government might eventually allow the game to be played in Iran once it
sees how popular it is.

(C)

The game's creators are considering making changes to the game so that
the government will allow it.

(D)

The game's creators used specic locations and servers in order to make
the Iranian government upset.

Which sentence BEST summarizes how the government responds to people using software to
access blocked sites?
(A)

The government completely unblocks the sites that people want to see.

(B)

The government nds ways to make the sites permanently inaccessible.

(C)

The government uses new lters to block content it objects to on sites.

(D)

The government arrests people who access the site and makes them pay a
ne.

How does the article develop the idea that Iranians do not take all of the government's rules
seriously?
(A)

by demonstrating that people are worried about what they are missing when
they cannot access content

(B)

by listing the reasons that government ofcials say the game "Pokemon Go"
was banned in Iran

(C)

by describing the ways that the government attempts to censor internet

content in Iran

(D)

by explaining how people get around lters and providing individuals'

responses to the ban of "Pokemon Go"

Answer Key
1

Read the selection from the article.

Internet ltering, the practice of blocking citizens' access to certain

websites and content, is common in Iran. However, this practice has
not stopped millions of users from accessing blocked apps and
websites.
Which sentence from the article provides the BEST evidence to support the statement above?

(A)

Iranians use anti-ltering software to bypass state restrictions.

(B)

The success of the messaging app Telegram, which is used by 1 in 4

Iranians, is proof of that.

(C)

Using anti-ltering software affects connectivity speeds, and it is not clear if

its use would be possible when playing "Pokemon Go."

(D)

"You have to both look around to hunt Pokemon and also watch not being
hunted yourself by the morality police," the user said.

Read the selection from the article.

Ofcials had previously hinted that they may allow the game to
function in Iran if its data servers are transferred inside the country and
if certain locations are excluded. Those requests have not been
acknowledged by the makers of "Pokemon Go."
Which of the following can be inferred from the above?
(A)

The government wants to control the content of the game, but the
game's creators are not going to allow that.

(B)

The government might eventually allow the game to be played in Iran once it
sees how popular it is.

(C)

The game's creators are considering making changes to the game so that
the government will allow it.

(D)

The game's creators used specic locations and servers in order to make
the Iranian government upset.

Which sentence BEST summarizes how the government responds to people using software to
access blocked sites?
(A)

The government completely unblocks the sites that people want to see.

(B)

The government nds ways to make the sites permanently inaccessible.

(C)

The government uses new filters to block content it objects to on sites.

(D)

The government arrests people who access the site and makes them pay a
ne.

How does the article develop the idea that Iranians do not take all of the government's rules
seriously?
(A)

by demonstrating that people are worried about what they are missing when
they cannot access content

(B)

by listing the reasons that government ofcials say the game "Pokemon Go"
was banned in Iran

(C)

by describing the ways that the government attempts to censor internet

content in Iran

(D)

by explaining how people get around filters and providing individuals'

responses to the ban of "Pokemon Go"