Pokemon Go accused of 'redlining' coloured, poor communities
A ugmented reality mobile game Pok é mon Go was criticised for placing too few Poké stops in US communities of colour and other disadvantaged neighbourhoods, resulting in accusations of bias and ' redlining '. The location of so-called Pok éstops and Gyms - where users can pick up virtual goods and prepare for battles, and which map onto real-world locations such as parks, churches and public buildings - were seen to benefit local businesses and communities by driving publicity, revenue and engagement, reducing crime, and persuading people to take exercise. But not all communities were seen to benefit equally. Using maps of 'portals' from its gaming predecessor, Ingress, the Urban Institute think tank estimated that Pokémon G o averaged 55 portals i n majority white neighbourhoods, against 19 portals in majority black neighbourhoods - figures substantiated by other organisations in other locations. Redlining is a term used when a community is deprived of essential services, including the provision of mortgages, based on its economic, racial or ethnic make-up. System 🤖 Pok é mon Go 🔗 Operator: Niantic Developer: Niantic Country: USA Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts Purpose: Drive engagement Technology: Augmented reality (AR) Issue: Bias/discrimination
- Date it happened
- 2016-08-01
- Organisation involved
- Niantic
- Product, system or model
- Pokemon Go
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