iPhone App Tracks Sex Offenders

The Narrative Fallacy writes "All 50 states in the US require the 50,000 people convicted of sexual offenses to sign a register so that their whereabouts can be tracked and monitored. The Telegraph reports that now users of the iPhone Offender Locator application can search for sex offenders living nearby a friend or colleague whose address is stored in their Apple iPhone address book, or they can type in a street address to generate a list of convicted sex offenders in the local area. 'Offender Locator gives everyone the ability to find out if registered sex offenders live in their area,' says the application developer, ThinAir Wireless, on its iTunes page. 'Knowledge equals safety. They know where you and your family are...now it's time to turn the tables so that you know where they live and can make better decisions about where to allow your kids to play.' Offender Locator uses the iPhone's built-in GPS to pinpoint the user's location, and then provide a map listing sex offenders in the local area. Tapping on one of the 'pins' dropped on to the map brings up a photograph of the offender, as well as their address, date of birth and list of convictions."

Comments

Law of Unintended Consequences

[Pentagram]

This sounds like an excellent way for people with similar interests to hook up with each other. What could possibly go wrong?

Re:You'd have thought that a mobile provider

[CharlyFoxtrot]

We've tried tracking them with satellite imagery but that only shows they aren't on the roof of their house.

Re:Awesome

[Pvt_Ryan]

I am currently writing an app for sex offenders to find victims....

Re:Tired of scare tactics.

[Lemmy Caution]

Impersonating an officer.