As one of the last remaining people on the planet who
doesn’t have a smartphone, I’m not familiar with any of the millions of apps
out there that serve all kinds of purposes. However, the “Friend Verifier” App
recently caught my attention because it claimed to be able to rid your friends
list of registered sex offenders. A few friends tried it and chided the
developer for sending up red flags on people who were undoubtedly not on the
registry (among the accused were a retired pastor, elderly father-in-law and a
few adult children.)
On the Friend Verifier Facebook page a few days ago was a
notice from the developer to the app’s “fans,” apologizing on behalf of some
users who had evidently posted comments asserting concern for the safety of
registrants and their families. Friend Verifier’s post referred to those users
as “pro-sex offender groups” who “believe people who rape and molest” have the
same rights as the rest of us.
Before I was blocked and my comments deleted, I was able to
capture this screenshot of the comment thread:
I also sent an email to the app’s head developer, explaining
as I did above about the post and subsequent deletion of all comments, asking
why bringing up a viable issue (the safety of children and family members of
registrants, as well as including some important statistics) would be ignored
and deleted.
Here’s a portion of the response I received:
“Unfortunately due to a
small handful of people’s inappropriate actions, we had to reinforce our terms
of service for the use of our Fan Page. Our Fan Page is used by teenagers
and young adults, so when individuals go on profanity driven tirades, threaten
my company and me with physical harm and lawsuits, we can’t allow such behavior
to go on. So we have a zero tolerance rule, when it comes to harassment,
vulgarities, threats, political grandstanding, etc.
There have been a few
individuals who were, and still are trying to use, our app’s page to voice
their opinion on sex offender registry laws. Our page is not the forum
for that. We are a private tech company that offers a free application to
help further a safer internet experience for children and young adults.
Those who feel the sex offender registry is unconstitutional, should notify
their elected officials, and try to get the media to represent them.”
Once again, the concern I raised for the families and
children who would be negatively impacted by this app is ignored. They claim
that they want to “help further a safer internet experience,” but apparently,
only some are deserving of that “safer experience.”
Curious, I decided to try the app for myself. After a couple
of “scans”, it became very obvious that all it does is cross-reference names
against the national registry, which any paranoid person can do themselves.. It
doesn’t take into account any other information such as location or age. If you
have even a relatively common name, you’re likely being flagged as a potential
sex offender. If you live in Maine and you
happen to share your name with a registered sex offender in Idaho, you’re also going to pop up in red.
This is a “safe experience?” Now you’re just as much in danger of a vigilante
attack as someone already on the registry – and so is your family.
The lack of accuracy in their software, coupled with the
blatant disregard of and unwillingness to learn the facts, puts this app right
alongside the other existing baseless and unsuccessful policies regarding sex
offenders and supposed “safety.” What will it take for our society to realize
that “more” does not always equal “better” when it comes to effective safety
tools?
Of course this is just another case of fear mongering for profit. It's worked very well in the past for a lot of other businesses. The best thing to do is ignore this app, let it die. People will figure out quickly enough when it ID's half of their friends as SO's that it's useless. Take away their "oxygen" and these types of apps and companies will wither and die on their own.
ReplyDeleteThey really should be worried about being sued. If I found out it wrongly ID'ed me, I'd be a little more than upset about it.
Good blog, Shana! And yet more useless "safety assurance" for the Sheeple out there! By the way, I also do not have a smart phone. I even have texting blocked on my cell phone. I feel like cell phones have for the most part ruined our society and caused people to become totally rude, at least that has become my experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's these kinda of "techies" that are hiding stuff in their past. They are online bullies and they are doing it because of a touch economy. Operation Takedown is devoted to such bullies. We work to review the dark secrets of those who point fingers and push people around online. We are a group who pushes back, because law enforcement is powerless in these situations. Reach me if you wish surgery to be performed on this online bully. I will ensure cancer from this corner of the web is gone.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read all of your archives yet, but I'm wondering what kind of numbers you can put Assaults and homicides directly related to vigilantism of sex offenders.
ReplyDeleteGreatly needed blog. As a RSO, I too am compassionate about the RSO who is tying to live a healthy life and never create another victim. I started a blog as well ( rsoblog64 ) to encourage RSOs to fight for their right to put their past behind them. I published my first post just minutes ago. Wish me luck and thank God for people like you. You are very brave!
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