In a column for Vox, Timothy B. Lee opines on what The Washington Post has called a “terrifying” new service called Peeple, otherwise characterized as “Yelp for people.” The service, which has raised $250,000 in funding thus far and is due for release in November, will allow users to rate people they know. The company says it has tools in place to prevent misuse, but critics worry the service could become a bastion for privacy invasions and cyber-harassment. Peeple follows a real-name policy via Facebook profiles, and new profiles will not be allowed to take part in the service. Legal scholar Eric Goldman downplayed the perceived creepiness of the app, saying, “People reviewing other people for their personal behavior is a perennial topic.”
Full Story