Date Check is iPhone Stalkerware
Ready to learn about an app coming out that will give you the heebie jeebies?
The app is called Date Check, and when unveiled at an industry expo this week called Demo, was quickly dubbed “Stalkerware” by most who were in attendance. So what exactly does this app do that is so creepy?
Date Check is geared towards singles who want to make sure their coffee date isn’t a total sleazeball by performing a background check on them.
Some of the things you can learn about your potential soulmate include:
- “Sleaze Detector” – performs criminal check to see if anyone with that name has DUI charges, arrests, drug possessions, etc.
- Net worth – Determines if they are homeowners and what kind of property value they have
- Checks social networking sites such as LinkedIn, to verify employment and education
- Living Situation – names/ages of family or roommates living at subject’s address (useful if your date still lives with their parents)
- Compatibility – birth date and astrological sign
A bit invasive, no? “Date Check is like having a private investigator in your purse,” John Arnold, co-founder of Intelius and executive vice president of business development, said. “Letting a stranger into your life is a huge risk, and in the age of Internet anonymity, a simple online search isn’t enough to tell you everything you need to know. ” (courtesy ABCNews)
The app is supposed to be launched this week but I can’t currently find it in the App Store. Date Check will also be available on Android and Blackberry devices sometime in October.
Check out this YouTube video of the app.
I know you’re dying to hear my opinion. It’s mixed. I want to say it’s a total invasion of privacy but it sounds as though the app is just accessing publicly available information. It’s very similar to the debate about Google Street View, which takes pictures of things that anyone would see driving down the road but yet has privacy advocates going nuts. I don’t see much of a difference here. Especially when it comes to the way technology just chucks our personal info out there for everyone to see in the form of LinkedIn and Facebook, amongst other services.
It can be used for both good and bad. While quite helpful for lonely singles out there just trying to find a good match, it allows more sensitive information about individuals to be much more easily accessible, which means it could be a concern if it gets in the wrong hands. What if you have an ex that’s trying to hunt you down or stalk you, and you’ve purposely changed your phone number to get away from them? Date Check will not be in your favor!
Nevertheless, the app is coming and will be free up front but the services inside will likely cost up to $40, depending on the types of searches done (and the frequency as well).
For more information, check out PhoneDog.