State to Restrict Sex Offenders on Parole from Playing Pokemon Go

ALBANY – New York State is cracking down on sex offenders who may try to take part in the popular Pokemon Go augmented reality game.

On Monday Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will restrict sex offenders under community supervision from using Pokémon GO and similar games.

In an effort to safeguard New York’s children, the Governor also sent a letter to software developer Niantic, Inc. requesting their assistance in prohibiting dangerous sexual predators from playing Pokémon GO.

At the Governor’s direction, DOCCS has imposed a new condition of parole for sex offenders under community supervision that will prohibit them from downloading, accessing, or otherwise engaging in any Internet enabled gaming activities, including Pokémon GO.

According to the governor, the directive will apply to nearly 3,000 Level 1, 2 and 3 sex offenders currently on parole.