Niantic denies Pokémon Go data is training military drones (opens in new tab)

Niantic used Pokémon Go location scans collected through an opt-in game feature to train Niantic Spatial AI models that recognize and interpret physical spaces; the technology could help drones or other autonomous systems locate themselves when GPS is unavailable or disrupted. The 2021 feature let players scan real locations with their phones for in-game rewards, and Niantic collected the data before selling its games division in 2025. Niantic Spatial, a company spun out of Niantic, announced...