Iranians are not allowed to play"Pokemon Go" anymore

Iranians play on the "Pokemon Go" app in Tehran's Mellat Park on August 3, 2016. Iran was quick to ban the global

gaming craze but, as with many of the Islamic republic's Internet controls, tech-savvy youngsters have carried on

regardless. Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Playing the game "Pokemon Go" is no longer allowed in Iran. The country's leaders think

the game makes Iran less safe. "Pokemon Go" is played on smartphones. It works by

adding digital pictures to the real world. The game makes Pokemon appear on the screen.

Abolhasa Firouzabadi is in charge of controlling the Internet in Iran. He watches how

people use websites and games. He said game makers must get permission before

people can play their game in Iran. "Pokemon Go" did not get permission.

Says "Pokemon Go" Is Not Safe

Abdolsamad Khorramabadi is an important Iranian official. He says "Pokemon Go" is a

danger to the country. The department that works to keep Iran safe agrees.

Lots of young people in Iran play "Pokemon Go." The game was released last month. It has

already become famous worldwide.

Before, Iran said it might allow the game if changes were made. For example, Iran wants

certain places to be removed from the game. "Pokemon Go" has not made these changes.

By Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.12.16

Word Count 357

Blocks Don't Really Work

Blocking websites is common in Iran. The blocks have not stopped users, though. Iranians

use special programs to get to the websites they like. These are anti-filtering programs. If

the websites are still blocked, users find another way.

Facebook and Twitter are blocked. Still, many Iranians use them. The government has now

switched to smart filtering. This means the government does not block the whole website.

Instead, it only blocks certain posts or messages.

Anti-filtering programs slow down the Internet. They may not be usable when playing

"Pokemon Go."

Other branches of government in Iran, like the courts, may still have a say about if the

game will be allowed. These branches act on their own. They also have power in the

country.

Laughing At The Ban

Mana Neyestani is a well-known Iranian artist. He drew a cartoon in reply to the

announcement. It shows a Pokemon running from the Iranian police.

One Iranian user made a joke on Twitter. The user said it was hard to pay attention on the

streets. You have to watch for Pokemon and also watch for the police.

Quiz

1 Select the paragraph from the section "Says Pokemon Go Is Not Safe" that explains how the

game would have to change in order to be allowed in Iran.

2 Select the sentence from the section "Blocks Don't Really Work" that explains how "Pokemon

Go" might have a chance to be played in Iran.

(A) Blocking websites is common in Iran.

(B) The government has now switched to smart filtering.

(C) Anti-filtering programs slow down the Internet.

(D) Other branches of government in Iran, like the courts, may still have a say

about if the game will be allowed.

3 What is the MAIN reason why Iran says it banned "Pokemon Go"?

(A) It does not like the digital pictures the game adds.

(B) It thinks the game is dangerous for the country.

(C) It does not like its citizens wasting time on games.

(D) It blocks all kinds of websites on its internet.

4 Based on the article, how do the people in Iran get to websites that are blocked by the

government?

(A) They use programs that help them get around filters.

(B) They send a request to the government to unblock them.

(C) They cross the border to another country to use them.

(D) They write letters and draw cartoons.

Answer Key

1 Select the paragraph from the section "Says Pokemon Go Is Not Safe" that explains how the

game would have to change in order to be allowed in Iran.

Paragraph 4:

Before, Iran said it might allow the game if changes were made. For example,

Iran wants certain places to be removed from the game. "Pokemon Go" has not

made these changes.

2 Select the sentence from the section "Blocks Don't Really Work" that explains how "Pokemon

Go" might have a chance to be played in Iran.

(A) Blocking websites is common in Iran.

(B) The government has now switched to smart filtering.

(C) Anti-filtering programs slow down the Internet.

(D) Other branches of government in Iran, like the courts, may still have a

say about if the game will be allowed.

3 What is the MAIN reason why Iran says it banned "Pokemon Go"?

(A) It does not like the digital pictures the game adds.

(B) It thinks the game is dangerous for the country.

(C) It does not like its citizens wasting time on games.

(D) It blocks all kinds of websites on its internet.

4 Based on the article, how do the people in Iran get to websites that are blocked by the

government?

(A) They use programs that help them get around filters.

(B) They send a request to the government to unblock them.

(C) They cross the border to another country to use them.

(D) They write letters and draw cartoons.