Pokémon Go catches all your Google data (here’s how to stop it)

Pokémon hunters that have been running around the city trying to catch ’em all are putting themselves in danger and it has nothing to do with battling a level 50 Charizard.

By signing up to play Pokémon Go through Google, many iOS users have unknowingly exposed all of their emails, chats, calendars, documents and more to the game’s developer and third-parties.

The new game requests permission for full access to a users’ Google account when you sign up to play. The game offers an alternative way to create an account through the Pokémon Trainer Club, but because the company’s servers have been slammed since launch, most players have opted to sign up via Google because it’s quicker.

It appears that the security risk only exists for iOS users because Google doesn’t provide a way for iOS users to edit permissions it gives to an app. The app also never mentions that it requests full access to your Google Account.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to block Pokémon Go from catching all your data:

1) Follow this link to Google Security settings.
2) Under Sign-in & security, click Connected Apps and Sites
3) Click Manage Apps
4) Select Pokémon Go Release
5) Click Remove and then OK.

Once you remove access to Pokémon Go you’ll have to create an account through the Pokémon Trainer Club which does not access all of your data.

Buster Hein

Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.