While people indulge in the joy of chasing Pokémon monsters, authorities have restricted the hunt amid security concerns.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters in Jakarta has banned its members from playing the wildly popular augmented-reality game while on duty, arguing that the use of GPS on smartphones enables the viewing of restricted military facilities.

The TNI became cautious after it found out that the app provider could intentionally spread Pokémon monsters around restricted areas to encourage hunters to enter the areas.

Once players got in with GPS and a camera on their cell phones, they could record activities in restricted areas and post them online, where people, including possibly foreign intelligence, could steal confidential data, the TNI claimed.

“The official telegram [on the ban] will soon be issued as a preemptive measure. It is better to take preventative action,” TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, adding that the decision was made after receiving input from assistant intelligence personnel to the TNI commander.

However, TNI members are still allowed to play when they are off duty and far away from military facilities, installations and bases.

“[The game provider] doesn’t recognize restricted areas. They just put Pokémon monsters [wherever it wants]. The policy is just to protect our bases, which house many important installations,” Tatang added.

Pokémon Go, which sets players on a real-world hunt for elusive digital monsters they can catch via their phones, offers the experience of being a real Pokémon hunter.

While it has yet to be officially launched in Indonesia, the fever has hit the country, as many people have downloaded the game through backdoor channels.

“The game directs hunters to locations. It is fine if they are directed to restaurants or public places, but what about if they are directed to Navy bases? Will they try to find ways to enter such restricted sites?” Navy spokesman First Admiral Edi Sucipto told the Post.

Separately, Cirebon Military Command (Kodim) in West Java arrested a French national identified as Romain Pierre for entering its office without permission in his pursuit of a Pokémon late on Monday at 11 p.m.

Pierre was jogging in the neighborhood before his cell phone detected a number of Pokémon inside the Kodim. He crossed the security guard post and resisted arrest. He was later released after his business entourage, in town for a conference, picked him up at a nearby police station.

“From his testimony, he said that he was playing Pokémon Go while jogging in the area,” West Java Police spokesman Yusri Yunis said.

Meanwhile, the Central Java Police have also banned their members from playing Pokémon Go to avoid distractions while on duty.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu agrees with the TNI policy, saying that the game could be used by foreign intelligence to collect data on the TNI.

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