14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has approved a free application in its App Store which not only allows you to uncover a person’s entire online presence, but downright encourages you to do so.
The app description reads: “BeenVerified.com presents the world's FIRST and ONLY FREE Background Check App […] Use your iPhone to run a check instantly. You never know what you might find!”
That certainly sounds like BeenVerified is enticing us to start looking up information on random people. Not exactly an activity your psychiatrist might prescribe, that much is certain.
The app comes with 1 free check every month, for people who are curious to try it out and see if it does what BeenVerified says it does.
For crazies, there’s an in-app purchase option to become a BeenVerified member and track as many people as you like.
“Imagine sitting at the bar and finding out the truth about the person who just bought you a drink all before they return from the bathroom,” says the company.
How about trusting your instincts and letting the conversation flow? Knowing they have a dog named Rusty and an affinity for kayaking before they even open their mouth will probably take the edge off your date.
And it's not like every day brings a new serial killer to the bar, prompting you to look up information on everyone you come across.
Background Check also comes with a free email search, and tools “to find out what Social Networks they're on.”
The developer tells users, “Check out their online photos, websites, blog posts, and entire online presence.”
'Cause, why not become a self-taught stalker, right?
Jokes aside, I’m pretty sure all the information gathered by Background Check is already public, meaning the app itself isn’t producing any information that wasn’t readily available to begin with.
However, creating a tool that makes it so easy to expose a person’s entire Internet presence (with an encouragement to do so), really makes you wonder just how safe we are online these days.
And Apple itself might need to reconsider its App Store guidelines. App discovery tools get rejected while people discovery tools get approved? Something's not right here.
Disclaimer
This is a Personal Thoughts piece reflecting the author’s “personal” opinion on matters relating to Apple and / or the products associated with the Apple brand. This article should not be taken as the official stance of Softpedia on Apple-related matters.