Russia reportedly using 'Pokémon Go' for election meddling is meme gold

Per CNN, the mobile game played a role in Russia's 2016 election hacking.
 By 
Laura Vitto
 on 

Remember your beloved Pokémon Go? The irritating – but ultimately harmless – mobile game that had people walking around taking photos of nothing?

Welp, per CNN, it too reportedly played a role in Russia's 2016 election hacking. I'm sorry for your loss.

A quick recap: CNN reports that the Kremlin-linked Internet Research Agency used the mobile game to pose as an affiliate of the Black Lives Matter movement, asking players to capture Pokémon characters in places known for acts of police violence against Black Americans.

The reasoning behind this remains unknown, and CNN couldn't find evidence that anyone participated in the Internet Research Agency's challenge.

Still, memes flooded Twitter the moment news broke. Because really, who could resist?

Topics Memes Politics

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Laura Vitto

Laura Vitto was Mashable's Deputy Culture Editor.

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