Sex offender locator app hits the iPhone – vigilantes celebrate
By Dave Parrack
The iPhone has an innate ability to make everything that appears on it so much more popular and accessible to everyone. Even the names and addresses of people on the registered sex offenders list in the United States.
All crime is bad, and some of the worst kinds are related to sexual activity. It’s generally accepted that sexual offenses such as rape and child abuse are second only to murder in the pecking order of the worst crimes to commit. Taking someone’s life is clearly unforgivable, but so is ruining someone’s life by forcing them to take part in a sexual activity against their will.
However, every crime has a fitting punishment, and every criminal who gets caught serves that punishment. Unlike other crimes, people who commit sex offenses get left with a permanent stain on their record thanks to being added to the list of registered sex offenders. Whether right or wrong, this list exists to help safeguard the public.
The details of registered sex offenders are already available on the Web for anyone to look at. But now, according to TechCrunch, these same details are available in a handy iPhone app called Offender Locator. Anyone who downloads the app can now access the names, addresses, and even photos of sex offenders across the U.S.
Strangely, the Offender Locator app costs $0.99 to purchase, even though the information it includes is all freely available on the Web already. But that hasn’t stopped the app from making its way into the top 10 paid iPhone apps.
This obviously raises some serious questions as to the nature of this app. Firstly, is it right for a company to be making money from selling personal information? This is legally questionable in some states, and morally questionable in all right-thinking states.
Then there’s the bigger question as to whether having this kind of personal information being made available on an iPhone app is right or wrong. Not all registered sex offenders are pedophiles or rapists, with some having been charged with much more minor offenses. But this app doesn’t differentiate between the levels of crime committed, instead lumping everyone in together.
Then there’s the obvious risk of mistakes and misinformation leaking into the system. Which is really not ideal when there are people all too willing to become bloodthirsty vigilantes if they even suspect someone dodgy is living amongst them.
The Offender Locator iPhone app has trouble written all over it, both legally and morally. Yes, these people are criminals, but if they’ve done their time shouldn’t they have some protection from being ridiculed, shunned, and even hurt by people with a vendetta to carry out? An iPhone app hardly seems the appropriate medium to share this kind of sensitive information.
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July 27th, 2009
“But this app doesn’t differentiate between the levels of crime committed, instead lumping everyone in together.”
Did you use the app? Because is certainly does differentiate between Level I, II, and III offenders.
July 27th, 2009
Not all states differentiate between levels, Bob. You must live in a state that does. That still doesn’t mean the state got it right. Ever hear the story about the teen who had consensual sex with another teen and is listed as a “sexual predator?”
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/OK-Teens-Branded-Sex-Offenders/5hOYVYs2CEWr3AMOpVP5Uw.cspx
Studies have shown 40% of registrants AND their loved ones are victims of vigilante “justice.” This app will only increase that number as vigilantes are usually impulsive. Get the facts @ http://www.oncefallen.com
July 27th, 2009
Vigilantes need not come looking for me.
I survived general population for 12+ years, no pussyfart vigilante is gonna fuck with me and mine in the freeworld.
July 27th, 2009
This information is already available on the internet. Why aren’t other criminals (felons) singled out with similar apps? I don’t want a burglar living next to me without knowing it.
My son is one of those teens who was a year too old to be having relations with his girlfriend.
July 28th, 2009
It is illegal to harass a sex offender. Your points aren’t valid. They won’t be harrassed anymore than they already are. Just because they served their time doesn’t mean they get a clean slate. Most of them will never lose the sex crime from their records. I think this app is great. Perfect for people looking to move into apartments or people who need to make a quick decision to move.
July 28th, 2009
To mother of 6. I would much rather live next to a burglar than a stat rapist. Especially if I have kids. Your son might be a good kid but he is still a rapist.
July 31st, 2009
I want an app that tells me where Dan lives. After all, I’m sure he won’t be harassed anymore than he is now, right? Idiot.
August 7th, 2009
About the $0.99 cent cost – if it organizes information from multiple databases into one useful tool, then its worth the price. Think about it – what can anyone get for 99cents anymore? The example of the teens is an excellent case for the ‘minor offenses’ cited in the article. Vigilantes would be no better than sex offenders. I hope this app becomes available elsewhere. If there’s danger nearby – of ANY sort – I would like to know about it.
August 9th, 2009
You can find a review of Offender Locator here http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/08/offender-locator/