Data gathered from Pokémon Go players' "AR Mapping tasks" has been utilized in training artificial intelligence systems for military drones, according to reports. Niantic Spatial, a division formed after Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group acquired Niantic's gaming business for $3.5 billion in 2025, partnered with Vantor in December 2025 to develop an "air-to-ground positioning solution" for platforms operating in GPS-denied conditions.
Conventional GPS technology, which relies on satellite signals, is crucial for modern military navigation and targeting. The ability to disrupt these signals presents a strategic advantage, leading to the development of Visual Positioning Systems (VPS). These systems offer navigation capabilities comparable to GPS even when satellite signals are unavailable. Vantor's software is specifically employed in military drones, indicating a clear focus on this application.
The Niantic Spatial and Vantor collaboration aims to create an integrated positioning network. Niantic Spatial's contribution enables ground-based navigation without GPS, while Vantor provides similar functionality for airborne platforms. "Our Large Geospatial Model gives these systems the ability to perceive, align, and operate in a shared frame of reference—even when traditional GPS is unavailable," stated Brian McClendon, chief technology officer at Niantic Spatial.
Niantic Spatial clarified that the "ground scans" from Pokémon Go are one component among many used to train its AI models. The company also stated that its agreement with Vantor does not involve sharing this data and that, following the acquisition of Niantic's gaming division by Scopely, Niantic Spatial no longer has access to Pokémon Go's scanning data. "AR Scans collected through Pokémon Go were submitted voluntarily by players who opted into the feature and were subject to the applicable Terms of Service and Privacy Policy at the time," a spokesperson for Niantic Spatial explained. The discontinuation of AR scanning and data sharing with Niantic Spatial were part of the transition associated with Pokémon Go's move to Scopely.
Vantor, in its own statement, indicated it is exploring the adaptation of Niantic Spatial's ground-based VPS for its systems but confirmed it does not possess the actual Pokémon Go data. The company relies on its own 3D data derived from satellite imagery to underpin its GPS-denied positioning capabilities.
Experts have noted the potential impact of such data, with nearly 30 billion scans reportedly collected from Pokémon Go players. Jeroen van den Hoven, a professor of ethics and technology, suggested that the extensive data would have significantly accelerated the development of these AI systems, implying an indirect contribution from players to military applications. The terms of service for Pokémon Go grant Niantic a broad, perpetual license to use player-submitted scans and data for various purposes.
While the direct impact of this specific data might be minimal, the situation raises ethical considerations. Van den Hoven commented that players who believed they were merely engaging in a game may have been misled, suggesting that companies may prioritize profit over using data for societal benefit, such as education, if opportunities arise to sell datasets or AI models.