Peeple, the new app that's terrifying everyone

A new controversial app, called Peeple, which became a hot topic for discussion on social media last fall, is scheduled to launch in the U.S. on March 7, 2016. The app is described as a sort of Yelp for humans, where people can rate friends, coworkers and lovers on a scale of zero to 100.

"There are endless reasons as to why we would want this reference check for the people around us," Peeple CEO Julia Cordray says on her LinkedIn profile.

Peeple

As soon as the concept was announced, social media erupted with fear and outrage. Would the Internet soon be swamped with countless reviews of you, out there in the universe, perhaps saying you're mediocre or worse, from everyone you ever crossed at work or didn't want to go out with again? In an age when people so carefully curate their online personas to project a positive image, this is a very scary thought for a lot of people.

Investors, however, appear to appreciate the app's potential. As of September 28, 2015, the company's shares placed its value at $7.6 million.

Peeple

In many ways, the app was inevitable. These days, people can't even choose a nail salon without first reading its reviews online. Businesses are one thing, though, and people are another. So, controversy seems to follow whenever those lines are blurred.

Websites like RateMyProfessors.com and RateMyTeachers.com, for example, help students and parents make informed choices about education... in theory. They are also often criticized for promoting educators on the basis of superficial traits rather than actual teaching ability. There's simply no way to tell a biased review from an authentic one, and many believe that Peeple would be no different.

Peeple

Peeple users must be 21, have an established Facebook account, and post reviews under their real names. They must also agree to an extensive list of terms and conditions, upon registration, meant to prevent deliberate shaming and bullying of any kind.

In addition, the app allows users to approve or block reviews people write of them. "Recommendations never go live without your permission," the creators say on their website.

The app's co-founders feel that these "built-in integrity features" will ensure a more productive and accurate experience. The question remains, though: How could a number ever accurately represent a person?

Peeple

Despite the public outcry their product has ignited, Peeple co-creators Nicole McCullough and Julia Cordray, maintain that it is a "positivity app for positive people."

"Whether you love us or our concept or not," Cordray writes on Peeple's Facebook page, "we still welcome everyone to explore this online village of love and abundance for all."

"Dislike"

Peeple seems to present a clear opportunity for cyberbullies to detrimentally affect lives, and it's difficult to ignore the damage low character ratings could potentially cause already fragile egos. However, in a tweak to the original concept, the app will allow users to either approve or hide reviews people write of them.

The app's co-founders also aim to minimize the risk of abuse with user rules that state: "We do not tolerate profanity, bullying, health references, disability references, confidential information, mentioning other people in a rating that you are not currently writing a rating for, name calling, degrading comments, abuse, derogatory comments, sexual references, mention of confidential information, racism, legal references, hateful content, sexism, and other parameters."

JuicyCampus

For some, Peeple conjures painful memories of the controversial website, JuicyCampus, that wreaked havoc at universities across the U.S. from August 2007 to Feburary 2009. JuicyCampus described itself as an enabler of "online anonymous free speech on college campuses." It did that by providing a forum for rumors, gossip and rants.

Peeple hopes to circumvent the bias and hurtfulness inherent in sites like JuicyCampus by making users accountable for their reviews and not allowing anonymous comments.

Peeple

Not only will all reviews on Peeple be tied to users' actual names, but people who receive negative reviews will have the opportunity to hide them from appearing on their profile.

Peeple

The company founders are planning a future paid subscription option they refer to as the "truth license," which will allow subscribers to access every review, even those that are hidden.

​Peeple

Peeple's co-creators -- self-described "best friends" -- come at the app from vastly different perspectives. CEO Julia Cordray has a marketing degree from the University of Calgary. She has founded two recruitment companies, 96 Talents and Career Fox. Co-creator Nicole McCullough is a mother of two.

Peeple

According to Cordray's LinkedIn profile, Peeple was conceived when "Nicole set out to find a reliable babysitter for her kids. She knew the value of a referral and then it struck her - why is there nothing that provides reviews, ratings and comentary on aspects that truly matter to us?"

So, she teamed up with her best friend Julia and, as the story goes, "the two ladies... set out to change the way people connect online... to better choose who we hire, do business with, date, become our neighbours, roommates, landlords/tenants, and teach our children."

Peeple

Cordray raised $250,000 to develop the app and moved to San Francisco to oversee the process. She and McCullough then created a web series called "Peeple Watching," to promote their product.

Peeple

So far, "People Watching" has 11 webisodes. In number seven, Cordray and McCullough hit the streets of San Francisco asking people what they think of the app's concept. Some seem amused. One waiter, for example comments immediately, "That's what I need."

Others appear speechless. A taxi driver simply reacts, "Wow," then exhales deeply. It takes him a few minutes to fully digest the idea.

A female artist then points out how important it is for there to be checks and balances in place to control "the haters." Indeed.

Don't Date Him, Girl

Similar sites, such as DontDateHimGirl.com, have been criticized for failing to do just that.

Founded in 2005, DontDateHimGirl.com was conceived as a sort of dating credit report for women. It was a venue for ladies to anonymously post stories, reviews and photographs of cheating men that had done them wrong. In theory, the site was doing a service by warning other women to avoid unfaithful men, but it soon fell under intense criticism for false and fraudulent claims that unnecessarily damaged countless reputations.

Perhaps that's why app users fear Peeple has the potential to be used for revenge and hate, as well.

Peeple

Amidst a flurry of negative comments before the app even launched, Cordray and McCullough continued to post positive motivational quotes and pictures to the Peeple Facebook page. The posts range from a Teddy Roosevelt quote about how critics don't matter, to this one about following one's heart.

In response, a man, named Stuart Heritage, commented, "'It's stupid,' shouted THE ENTIRE PLANET." A woman, named Sara Alize Cross, then wrote, "It's DANGEROUS. It's HARMFUL. It's THOUGHTLESS. It's WRONG. It's MORALLY BANKRUPT. It's HORRIFYING."

So, it appears the Peeple co-founders are learning firsthand just how cruel the Internet can be, anonymous or not.

Peeple

Cordray has even posted a few short essays of her own, in an effort to rally support.

On September 19, 2015, for example, in a Facebook post entitled "An Ode to Courage," she wrote, "Innovators are often put down because people are scared and they don't understand. We are bold innovators and sending big waves into motion and we will not apologize for that because we love you enough to give you this gift."

She then tagged herself as the lion.