All traces of Peeple, which allows you to rate everyone you know without their permission, disappeared from the web following an outcry over its potential to incite bullying and trolling. The official website now takes you to a landing page that simply states: "Join the positive revolution #oct12."
Ironically, the backlash from critics led to Peeple's co-founder Julia Cordray being bullied, slandered and threatened after the launch of the app was announced recently.
Thousands of comments reflected fears that the app could lead to suicide and irreversible harm to those who were rated online.
The app would have allowed users to give star ratings to people they know by entering the person's cellphone number and leaving anonymous reviews. Negative comments could be removed once the rated person signed up for the app.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group said yesterday a simple post, nasty comment or bad rating could have serious implications.
"I don't think you could ever say that one app can lead to suicide, depression or anxiety, but it can definitely contribute to issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, stress and depression," said spokesman Cassey Chambers. "Suicide is a combination of issues, and cyberbullying can contribute greatly."
The director of Media Monitoring Africa, William Bird, said there was no doubt an app like Peeple could easily be used to harm or bully people.
"We know that merely from the comments sections of media that there are enough troubled individuals out there who could turn even the most positive of acts into a negative firestorm."
Source: The Times
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