Advertisement
Canada markets closed
  • S&P/TSX

    22,167.03
    +59.95 (+0.27%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • DOW

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7387
    +0.0001 (+0.01%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    95,789.72
    +1,285.39 (+1.36%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,124.55
    +10.20 (+0.48%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    18,465.00
    -38.75 (-0.21%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    13.01
    +0.23 (+1.80%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,371.52
    +203.45 (+0.51%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6845
    +0.0002 (+0.03%)
     

Citizen crime app releases Protect, an on-demand subscription security feature

After months of testing, Citizen, the crime and neighborhood watch app, is releasing Protect, a subscription-based feature that lets users contact virtual agents for help if they feel they're in danger.

According to Citizen, the feature can connect users with a Protect agent either through video, audio, or text available around the clock. The company said audio and text-only communication allows users to discreetly call for help "in difficult situations" where they might not be able to or are scared to be seen calling 911. The Protect feature costs $19.99 a month.

Protect began beta testing earlier this year as the feature has been available to 100,000 users, Citizen said. The new feature comes as Citizen currently has more than 8 million users who have sent out about 9 billion alerts in major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The new feature also arrives while Citizen has been looking into a "pilot project" that could allow users to request private security to scenes as the app says its overall mission is "to make your world a safer place."

ADVERTISEMENT

The Citizen app uses smartphone locations to notify users about possible criminal activity in their area, including those happening in real time, complete with live footage from users at the scene and live discussions.

In these screenshots, the safety app Citizen shows how Protect, a new subscription-based security feature, could help users contact virtual agents via video, audio or text if they may be in danger.
In these screenshots, the safety app Citizen shows how Protect, a new subscription-based security feature, could help users contact virtual agents via video, audio or text if they may be in danger.

While the Protect feature is not meant to replace calling 911, Citizen founder Andrew Frame said its options, including location tracking to send emergency responders to a user's exact location, can also help navigate them to safe spaces.

"Protect brings personal safety into the 21st century and gives our users the tools they need to keep themselves safe, no matter where they are," said Frame in a statement.

►How to scale back your kid's screen time: It's back to school time. So how do we cut back all the video gaming?

►Prove you're all vaxxed up: Need to share proof of vaccine? Here's how to store your COVID-19 vaccination card on your smartphone

Two of Protect's main components include the "Get Agent" button located on the Citizen app where users can connect with Protect agents either through video, audio, or text. Citizen said the trained agents can determine if the situation may warrant calling 911 on users' behalf while listening to their audio and monitoring their live location "to get help quickly and with ease."

Another component is "Protect Mode," where users can either enable "Shake for Agent," or "Distress Detection" or both to connect with a Protect agent discreetly. "Shake for Agent" works when users literally shake their phone "two or more times to be connected" with an agent, Citizen said.

And once the Distress Detection is enabled, Citizen said a user's audio is monitored with its technology that identifies sounds that may indicate trouble, like screaming.

When a distress signal is identified, Citizen said, a user will be asked if they want to be connected with a Protect agent, and if they don't respond within 10 seconds, the user will be automatically connected in case they are in the midst of an emergency situation.

Citizen said the Protect Mode is currently available only for iPhone users and will be available for Android users soon.

Citizen said Protect agents who take user requests undergo a rigorous training program that includes a four-week Public Safety Telecommunicator certification course.

Some of that training includes bias prevention, education about mental illness and anti-racism awareness "to ensure agents have the skills and knowledge to direct the user appropriately," Citizen said.

The company also said that many Protect agents have backgrounds in public safety ranging from former EMTs, former police and fire dispatchers, to former suicide intervention specialists.

Citizen said Protect agents have "looped in" 911 and sent first responders to hundreds of Protect subscribers who believed they were in danger. The company said in one incident, agents helped first responders locate two lost hikers who were dehydrated and disorientated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Citizen app has a new subscription Protect feature to help users