One of the main things we see of course on social media is the opportunity to review experiences – whether it is in restaurants or trips we have taken. We all have opportunities to post these on sites like Yelp or Trip Advisor. However, what would you do if you had the opportunity to review someone you knew? That’s right, and there’s now an app that is about to launch that will do just that.
If you have been following this particular case in the news, we have seen a lot of conversations coming up with the new Peeple app. Peeple the app needs to be aware that the other Peeple (yes, there is another company named Peeple) is not too happy about being associated with the app’s already established reputation.If you have not heard of this, it is essentially been classified as “The Yelp App for People.” Meaning, any one can rate you on this app (all they need is your cell phone number) and these individuals can rate you based on personal interactions and experience – which of course is getting a lot of individuals, especially those in social media, concerned about the implications of how this could damage someone’s reputation online.
Plus, you can’t opt out and there are no anonymous reviews. If there is a negative review on you, the site says that you will have 48 hours to work this out with the person or else you have to do it publicly. This can only escalate things on both sides involved, and not in a good way.
In an age where we are still seeing the rise of cyberbullying online, this app does raise some serious questions about the power someone has in rating you for others to see here. Brian Solis recently wrote a blog post about his concerns and why this app needs to be stopped before it is launched. Lots of people have been tweeting and going to Peeple’s Facebook page to voice their concerns about the app. Just looking at their FB posts and responses, a lot of people have posted in the comments section and the managers of the FB page had this statement out, which from a crisis communications standpoint, may not necessarily be the best strategy to do. I did try to go to their website but it was down.
Being aware that there is a person behind the screen is an important element and missing step people seem to forget when it comes to corresponding online with each other. Giving this power to an individual on a platform is a risk and could lead to further issues, challenges, and risks. Plus, there are a lot of unanswered questions and rising ethical concerns on privacy as well as how the Peeple team would police, report, or manage the profiles/reviews coming up.
There has been a lot of discussion on this – especially in the social media circles I am in and hearing what fellow professors, practitioners, and students are talking about this app related to online reputation risks, legal and ethical considerations, and the impact this would have on the rise of cyberbullying.
Rating someone online is not a new phenomenon. Compared to other apps like Whisper, Secret, or YikYak where you do this without disclosing your identity, Peeple is different. I would like to point out that there is one group who has been experiencing reviews on their work and personality for years: professors. Ever heard or used sites like Rate Your Professor? What about the use of YikYak on campuses? Professors get reviewed formally AND online all of the time – but we are not able to determine who said these comments or why they made these comments.
For me, I do feel it is better to know who your friends are and who are individuals who do not have your best interest in heart. In life, there are going to be people who will like you for what you do, but there are cases where people will not based on what you stand for and what you believe.
In summary, this discussion is not going to end soon. This is going to be an app and case we all have to be aware of and pay attention to. Also, as professors, we need to have these conversations with our students and talk about the implications this app has on reputation management, communication, and the risks/challenges associated with this on cyberbullying.
Hope you are having a great day.
Best Wishes,
