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FBI launches Iphone App for Parents
#1
PC Mag - August 5, 2011

The FBI this week unveiled a child safety app that you will hopefully never have to use. The agency's Child ID App allows parents to create a file for their children that will allow for easy access to vital information in the event that they go missing.

When children disappear, one of the first things police need are photographs and stats like height and weight, which can be distributed to other officers or used to send out an AMBER Alert. The FBI's app will allow you to quickly pull up that data and share it with police; there is also the option to email stats to the authorities or call 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Child ID is the first FBI-created app and the agency said it hopes to create more in the future. At this point, the Child ID app is only available in the Apple App Store, but the FBI said it plans to expand to other mobile OSes. In the coming weeks, the FBI will also add the ability to upload photos stored elsewhere on your phone to the app.

The app also includes tips on keeping kids safe as well as tips on what to do in the first few hours a child goes missing. The FBI is working with the American Football Coaches Association and the National Child Identification Program on the app. The NCIA provides a physical kit that lets you gather your child's fingerprints and DNA, and AFCA is producing a public service announcement about the app.

The FBI stressed that it is not collecting or storing any photos. All data resides solely on the app.
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I wonder if they will charge a monthly fee?
I have no clue how App's work. I do not have an Iphone.
My daughter does. Sounds like a good idea. Since it's all traceable to the Feds, I doubt people will false report using this. This goes back to Caylee's law if it does pass in all states. If you have this app available to you and you do not use it, and have a missing child, and do not report them within the hours of criteria .. just thinking out loud. Another charge of failure of responsibility? idk.

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#2
And all the info is available to anyone who picks up your phone should you lose it. Scary. In theory it's a good idea...but...
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#3
I was thinking the same thing. When ever something is created to benefit others, there is always a risk attached.
Depending on the intent of the user ... like you said, someone (other than Mom & Dad) could have all the information on your kid....

Maybe a Pin number ? to unlock the app?


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