Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

REPORT: Pokemon Go Used by Russians to Meddle 2016 Election

REPORT: Pokemon Go Used by Russians to Meddle 2016 Election

Pokemon found himself in the midst of American politics and inciting racial discord during the election.


CNN has learned that a Russian-linked campaign posing as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, called "Don't Shoot Us," used social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Instagram, and Pokémon Go.

It seems the innocuous creature wound up being used for nefarious deeds.

In July 2016, a Tumblr page linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency emboldened Black Lives Matter sympathizers to engage in a contest of Pokémon Go at various sites of police brutality, using the names of the victims. Winners were promised Amazon gift cards.

The "Don't Shoot Us" campaign attempted to bolster African American protests and elevate further outrage over police brutality through its various social media platforms and their own website - Donotshoot.us, which contains over 200 video clips of surveillance footage and news reports of alleged violence inflicted by authorities.

We will not let Pokemon come between us.

There is no evidence of contestants actually playing the game, nor of information on prizes given.

Pokemon Go developer Niantic told CNN, "It's clear from the images shared with us by CNN that our game assets were appropriated and misused in promotions by third parties without our permission."

"It is important to note that Pokemon GO, as a platform, was not and cannot be used to share information between users in the app so our platform was in no way being used. This 'contest' required people to take screen shots from their phone and share over other social networks, not within our game. Niantic will consider our response as we learn more."

The campaign's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts have been suspended according to CNN; however, the group's website and YouTube page remain active.

 

Source: YouTube

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

H/T - verge, cnn

More from News

Screenshots of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez giving Capitol tour
@AmberJoCooperX; @aoc/BlueSky

AOC Saves The Day By Giving Bronx Middle School Group A Tour Of The Capitol Amid Shutdown

New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had people cheering after she stepped in to act as tour guide after a group of middle schoolers from the Bronx pulled up to the Capitol hours after the U.S. government officially shut down.

The federal government shut down early Wednesday after the White House and Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal spending. While Senate Democrats are in the minority, they hold enough seats to filibuster and are insisting that Republicans agree to extend federal subsidies for people insured under the Affordable Care Act.

Keep ReadingShow less
house with orange walls and red roof behind decorative fence

.

Alexander Lunyov on Unsplash

Homeowners Reveal Hidden Gems They Only Discovered After Buying Their Homes

Whenever you buy a house, you hope and pray for the best.

You never want an unexpected shock once everything is finalized.

Keep ReadingShow less
John Gillette; Pramila Jayapal
@AzRepGillette/X; Win McNamee/Getty Images

GOP Lawmaker Sparks Outrage After Calling For Dem Rep. To Be Executed For Urging People To Protest Trump

On Wednesday, September 25, an Arizona MAGA Republican state Representative publicly called for the execution of Washington Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal because she urged anyone displeased with MAGA Republican President Donald Trump's job performance to exercise their First Amendment right to free speech and to protest.

Apparently, urging citizens to make their voices heard was a step too far for Arizona state GOP Representative John Gillette, who responded to a clip edited out of a longer video by right-wing account The Patriot Oasis (TPO). A quick scan through Gillette's X account media posts will reveal his political leanings.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from ​@nicolekatelynn1's TikTok video
@nicolekatelynn1/TikTok

Liberal TikToker Mortified After Discovering That Her Therapist Is Hardcore MAGA

There used to be a time where politics did not have to come into every room or be a part of every conversation. But in a world with President Trump and MAGA, it's not as simple as being Red, Blue, or Green anymore.

Now, the sociopolitical climate is dangerous for many people and still very stress-inducing for others. It's important to surround ourselves with people who make us feel safe and seen—and unfortunately, that might mean cutting out people who have "different beliefs" than we do.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @valerieelizabet's TikTok video
@valerieelizabet/TikTok

Teacher Reveals The Hilariously Familiar Way Kids Are Getting Around School Phone Bans

No matter what's being banned, or the reasons why it's being banned, kids will always find a way to access what they want.

What's funny is that teens in 2025 are now creating hacks to communicate with each other that will feel very nostalgic to Millennials.

Keep ReadingShow less