I’ve always thought the Citizen App was handy – it’s free and tells you what’s going on near you.
But I’ve found some pretty worrying stuff that isn’t talked about much. So, let’s cut to the chase, and let me share 5 unheard-of Citizen App controversies that’ll make you remove this app from your smartphone right away.
But first, let me introduce this app to users who don’t know about it:
What is the Citizen App?
The Citizen App connects users with a personal safety network, offering real-time 911 alerts, access to crisis responders, and safety tracking for friends and family. It’s my go-to app when I want to stay safe and informed about incidents around me.
When using the Citizen App, you receive location-based safety alerts in real time. It helps you stay updated about ongoing events near me, while live broadcasts and comments from other users allow you to get a full picture of the situation.
Users have several ways to interact with the app. They can report incidents, share live video streams, and leave comments. I find these features very helpful, as they allow you to be part of a larger community effort to maintain public safety.
The Citizen App is built to keep communities connected and situationally aware, empowering users like me to take an active role in our safety. In short, the app provides an important tool for staying informed and protected, letting everyone keep an eye on potential dangers around them and helping others in the process.
Is the Citizen App Free?
Yes, the basic features of the Citizen App are free, providing users with instant notifications and live broadcasts of reported crimes and incidents near them.
However, the app has also introduced a paid feature called Protect, which costs $20 per month. Protect offers on-demand safety agents and additional premium benefits for those who choose to subscribe.
5 Citizen App Controversies
Citizen App Controversy I – Privacy Concerns
The Citizen app requires ongoing access to your GPS location to issue alerts about incidents in their vicinity. However, users and privacy advocates have expressed concerns about this continuous location tracking.
The data thus collected could potentially lead to misuse, stalking, or unwarranted surveillance should it fall into the wrong hands — either through a data breach or unauthorized sharing.
Even though Citizen reassures its users that it prioritizes their privacy, these concerns persist given the breadth and intrusive nature of the data at stake.
Citizen App Controversy II – Vigilante Behavior Incitement
In May 2021, a wildfire in Los Angeles led to a critical turning point for the Citizen app. The app took the unusual step of accusing a specific individual of being the arsonist behind the fire and offered a $30,000 reward to anyone who could locate him.
The individual was later found to be innocent, and the incident ended up highlighting the potential of the app for inspiring dangerous vigilante behavior. Critics argue that offering such bounties can lead to unwarranted suspicion, harassment, or even physical harm to innocent individuals.
Citizen App Controversy III – False Reporting
The Citizen app relies on user-generated reports and public safety alerts derived from police scanner feeds. However, this user-dependent model raises concerns about the accuracy and validity of reports shared on the platform.
False or erroneous alerts can easily trigger unnecessary panic, lead to wrongful blaming, or incite fear among users. While Citizen seeks to verify these reports, the real-time nature of the app makes it inherently susceptible to inaccuracies or deliberate manipulations.
Citizen App Controversy IV – Employee Spying Allegations
In November 2021, Vice reported that Citizen allegedly used its technology to track an employee’s location due to concerns over their behavior.
Sounds innocent, but the incident became controversial especially since it led to the dismissal of the tracked employee.
Surveillance of employees on such a personal level is considered a significant breach of privacy and has led critics to further question the ethical practices of the company.
Citizen App Controversy V – Mission Creep and Potential Misuse
Citizen has expanded its features beyond initial crime alerts and reports. It now includes the live video streaming tool “OnAir,” prompting users to live stream crimes in real-time, and an “On-Demand Safety Agent” feature that brings private security to a user’s location at the push of a button.
While these features may have been designed with safety in mind, they are also seen as invasive and prone to misuse. That’s why I express major concern over such features that could escalate altercations instead of resolving them peacefully, amplify fear, or blur the line between law enforcement and private sectors.
Summary
So, there you have it. I always thought the Citizen App was a handy free tool to keep tabs on what’s happening around us. But, after uncovering these startling facts, I think it’s time to rethink.
These five disturbing facts about the app point out that being free doesn’t necessarily mean without issues. This citizen app controversy list includes everything from privacy scares to false accusations. It’s enough to make anyone stop and think.
So, is the Citizen App worth it? That’s something only you can decide. For me, it’s time to uninstall this app from my phone.
Yeah! I agree, it might be free, but it could come with a price I’m not willing to pay.
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