Privacy has become one of the primary hot button issues that the tech industry has been forced to face. Apps such as Whisper and Secret allow users to post messages anonymously, giving people the chance to divulge personal information without identifying the person. Well it seems there’s a new app that is looking to take that concept one step further. The app is called Truth, and the newest identity protecting software allows users to send anonymous text messages.
The app is set up to closely mimic already existing messaging menus (such as Apple’s) and it allows users to access their current contact list to choose recipients. Users are of course greeted with a pop up requesting access to your phone’s information almost immediately after opening the app. They are also required to sign up by providing an email address and password. This does seems a bit counter intuitive though, given the fact the apps suppose to anonymous.
Ali Saheli, a co-creator of the app, told Techcrunch that emails are being collected for an unannounced “part of their platform.” And while users don’t really seem to have a problem submitting their information in exchange for app access, it is a little odd that the company can’t explain exactly why they need user email addresses.
Once inside though the app does exactly as advertised. Users select anyone in their contact list and send messages just as they normally would. The messages are reportedly sent and received in the same amount of time a standard message would. On the receiving end, the incoming message begins with “The truth is,” and then the rest of the message. Of course, the senders information is kept private. The message will show up in the Truth app if already downloaded, otherwise it shows up as a San Francisco bay area phone number.
The real problem with the app, which has plagued anonymous based apps such as Whisper and Secret, is that the software seems prone to bullying. Though the apps design seems to indicate that it will be utilized by shy teens sending flirty texts, flirts can quickly turn hostile. Anonymity offers the power to say things that users might never say otherwise, for good or for bad.
via truth
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