Should You Buy a Pokémon GO Account? A Security & Fulfillment Guide

As an avid Pokémon GO player since launch, I strongly advise trainers to avoid the temptation of buying accounts. While immediately rewarding, purchasing Pokémon erodes the sense of achievement that gives the game meaning. With reasonable precaution, you can safely build your roster and securely grow your abilities for a far richer experience.

Just How Common is Account Buying & Selling?

Very. Market leader PlayerUp reports selling over 530,000 Pokémon GO accounts worth more than $46 million USD. High-level accounts with multiple legendary shiny Pokémon fetch up to $500. Even basic Level 20 accounts sell for $10 to $15.

The primary driver is accumulated progress. A Level 40 account with rare Pokémon represents months or years of grinding. For players who start late or live in areas devoid of PokéStops, buying an established account creates a massive short-cut.

The Ban Risks are Very Real

Let‘s be clear – any form of unauthorized account access violates Niantic‘s Terms of Service. You face permanent account termination if caught buying, selling, or sharing accounts.

Niantic‘s servers automatically detect and flag suspicious account activity using algorithms honed over years. Client-side mods like spoofers leave traces detectable after the fact. Even if you feel confident avoiding instant soft-bans, your borrowed account hangs by a slender thread.

How Does Niantic Actually Detect Cheating?

Niantic‘s anti-cheat capabilities are extensive, but not infinite. Clever workarounds exist to bypass certain checks, but require technical expertise. Here are some best practices shared by reputable Pokémon GO community members:

• Use throwaway or "burner" accounts to test cheats before risking your main account.

• Spoof location conservatively, mimicking realistic movement patterns and speeds.

• Avoid teleporting long distances and playing in multiple far-flung places in succession.

• Limit use of third-party apps autogenerating perfect IV Pokémon or other giveaways.

• Never directly modify your account inventory using hacking tools – trade hacked Pokémon from throwaways.

What Personal Data Does Niantic Access?

Pokémon GO requires a Pokémon Trainer Club account linked to Google or Facebook. This grants Niantic extensive access to your personal information:

• Email, social media, and contacts via authorized login providers

• Full Google account access including location and search history, private documents

• iOS Health app data including step count and fitness activity

• Precise real-time location data from device GPS

While Niantic pledges not to sell data to third parties, the app still exposes sensitive personal information, with implications for security and privacy.

Anonymized Data Isn‘t Necessarily Anonymous

Game companies often tout sharing "anonymized" data with partners or researchers. However, multiple studies have shown users can be re-identified by cross-referencing ancillary data:

• A 2019 Imperial College London study identified 99% of individuals in a dataset of "anonymized" credit card transactions for 1.1 million people by linking with just 4 external pieces of information per person.

• A 2018 University of Colorado study was able to identify fitness tracker users in "anonymized" public datasets with over 80% accuracy by referencing just 2-3 locations visited, even at city-level precision.

The immense amount of data from AR games like Pokémon GO means anonymization likely provides minimal real privacy protection.

The Ban Hammer Falls Fast on Cheaters

22-year-old Rhode Island resident Ryan Hunt had his 3-year old Level 39 account permanently terminated in 2020 after buying a Level 40 account. "I spent 3 years building it up, and it’s all gone in the blink of an eye. I had over 300 Pokémon collected and some pretty rare ones."

Los Angeles area Pokémon GO enthusiast Jaydoe experienced 4 account terminations in 2 days trying to cheat the system using VPNs. "Tread lightly and don’t go overboard. It was a hard lesson learned."

These are just a few examples of hubris and wasted money. Save yourself lost memories and start fresh with a clean conscience.

Guiding Children Away From Cheating Temptation

Kids with underdeveloped decision-making are especially susceptible to cheating just to gain rare Pokémon. Parents should have open conversations explaining that the real reward comes from effort and legitimate achievement.

Set clear expectations that buying accounts or spoofing locations will only undermine their sense of fulfillment. Don‘t just lay down the law, help foster the internal motivation to play fair.

In Closing: Enjoy the Real-World Journey

While buying Pokémon may seem attractive, true trainers know the riches of adventure and connection can‘t be faked. Devote yourself to the vibrant Pokémon GO community in your neighborhood. Bond with fellow players; share tips and stories.

Travel to new places, discover tucked-away gems, turn your daily commute into a quest. With each new milestone and catch the years will unfold before you in meaningful memory. Strive on knowing each reward was earned, not bought. Your unique Pokémon journey awaits.