Pokémon Go, the CIA, and thirty billion images: The invisible price of a free game
While five hundred million people were chasing Pikachu, the company behind Pokémon GO was quietly amassing thirty billion images of the real world. Now, that database powers delivery robots that navigate sidewalks with centimeter-level precision. This Radar investigates how a mobile game became the largest visual crowdsourcing project in history, who owns that data today, and why it matters to anyone who has ever downloaded a free app.
Listen to the intro
Who it is for
If you play Pokémon GO, use augmented reality apps, or simply install free apps without thinking twice about the terms of service, this Radar is for you. It is also essential reading for anyone working in technology, data privacy, robotics investment, or digital regulation. The story reveals how data collected for fun can quietly find a second life no one anticipated, and why that should change the way we evaluate the real cost of free services.
About the Author
Original content curated by 12min especially for you.
View author profileMore knowledge in less time
Listen to the key ideas
We offer various commission schemes from one-time payouts.
Find your next read
12Min is very popular among readers and lifelong learners.
Good Micropaths
12Min's browser-based app works for anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the 12min App, we extract the best ideas and insights from the world's best-selling non-fiction books and organize them into unique, self-contained narrative summaries that can be consumed in audio and/or text in about 12 minutes!
You can download our app and start enjoying our library. If for any reason you are not satisfied with our platform, simply contact our support team ([email protected]) within 7 days of purchase and request a refund. You will receive everything you paid for, without questions or bureaucracy.
Yes, but the change will only apply from the next billing period. For example, if you decide to change your monthly subscription to an annual one, after confirming the change to the annual plan, the new plan will only be applied and charged after that month's billing anniversary.
12min Premium is a plan that guarantees you access to our entire library of 2500+ titles available in 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) that you can read or listen to at any time through our app available for iOS, Android, and Computer. You can also read or listen to your favorite titles offline and challenge yourself with a quiz to help you retain the content at the end of each microbook.
Yes, if you decide not to renew your 12min subscription, you can cancel at any time and the next billing cycle will not occur.
Feel free to contact us at [email protected].