ZoraSafe App to Shield Seniors Online at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
▼ Summary
– The cybersecurity industry has traditionally focused on businesses, leaving older internet users particularly vulnerable to online threats.
– ZoraSafe is developing a subscription-based app to protect and educate older users through gamified learning and threat detection features.
– The initial version will include QR code scanning, suspicious message analysis, and a community scam-sharing database for collective protection.
– Future updates will add AI-powered scam call detection and privacy-focused on-device processing for user data security.
– The founders plan to expand to children, schools, and Spanish language support while developing NFC stickers to bypass iOS restrictions.
For many older adults, navigating the digital world presents significant risks, as they often lack the ingrained tech-savviness of younger generations. ZoraSafe, a new cybersecurity application developed by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow, directly addresses this gap by offering protection and education tailored specifically for seniors. The startup is set to showcase its innovative solution at the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt conference, where it will compete in the Startup Battlefield.
The app, scheduled for release next month, will be priced at $12.99 per month for individual users, with family and group plans available at a higher rate. Its core mission is twofold: to actively defend users from online threats like scammers and hackers, and to educate them through gamified microlearning modules.
The initial version will include several key features. A dedicated mode will scan QR codes to identify potential malware or phishing attempts. Users can also forward suspicious text messages and emails directly to ZoraSafe for analysis. Furthermore, a community-oriented function allows people to report newly discovered scams, which are then added to a shared database to instantly protect the entire user network.
“We aim to encourage the social sharing of scams,” Catherine explained. “This way, if one person encounters a fraudulent scheme, we can alert the whole Zora community immediately, ensuring collective protection.”
Future updates promise even more advanced capabilities. One planned feature will enable the app to join a suspicious phone call. The company’s AI system would then analyze the conversation in real-time to determine if it is a scam or a deepfake. Catherine was quick to clarify that the app will not listen to or record these calls, prioritizing user privacy.
When a threat is identified, the app generates an interactive chat that explains the nature of the danger to the user. “The entire purpose is to build resilience,” Ellie noted. “We want users to become more aware and capable of handling similar situations on their own in the future, even when they aren’t actively using the app.”
Privacy is a foundational principle of the AI engine. Ellie emphasized that 85% of the processing happens directly on the user’s device, with only 15% occurring in the cloud. Any data sent to the cloud is first stripped of personal information before it ever leaves the device.
To work within the constraints of mobile operating systems like iOS, the sisters have devised creative solutions. They plan to introduce an NFC sticker that can be integrated into phone cases. Tapping this sticker would instantly launch the ZoraSafe app, useful during a suspicious call or even in a physical emergency like a fall. They are also developing a “Share to ZoraSafe” option for the iOS sharing menu, simplifying the process of sending suspicious content for analysis.
Looking ahead, the founders have ambitious plans to expand their service. Their roadmap includes adapting ZoraSafe for children, forming partnerships with schools, and launching the app in additional languages, beginning with Spanish.
(Source: TechCrunch)
