Now a mobile app that crowd sources & maps safety information

NEW DELHI: In the wake of concerns being raised on security of women in cities, a researcher on women issues and a technology entrepreneur have joined hands to launch a mobile application, Safetipin, which provides safety-related information collected by users.

Safetipin is a map-based mobile phone app, that crowd sources and maps information about safety in neighbourhood and cities.

The app, which is available to Android and iPhone users, is free to use and is available on the App Store and Google Play.

The app was launched today in the national capital, by its co-founders Kalpana Viswanath and Ashish Basu.

Speaking at the launch Basu said: "The app gives people a way to engage with their neighbourhood and communities on important issues."

People can interact on safety issues and infrastructure, comment on posts and pictures, Basu, , who is an entrepreneur with interests in education and mobile technologies, added.

The app's development was supported by the UK government's Department of International Development, Ford Foundation among others.

"We aim to strengthen the work done on safety and mapping by NGOs by providing them with a tool that can help them gather data and analyse public safety," Vishwanathan, who is a is a researcher working on issues of violence against women and safer cities for women, said.

A panel discussion on women safety issues was also held on the occasion of the launch, where NIIT Ltd Chairman Rajendra Pawar stressed on searching for ways on how a community focused technology platform can help individuals and communities to engage.

The platform should also aid the government and service providers with better avenues to enhance the efficiency and effectively of their services, which also includes safety and security, he added.