Creepy Apps You Should Never Install - YouTube
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Transcript:
(00:03) then millions of unsuspecting Android users downloaded the bad apps a total of 4.2 million times so as you're about to see the risk is very real someone once said when you download an app you're basically inviting the people in charge of that app right into your cell phone the problem is that some apps look harmless but after you install them you realize that they're much worse than you think in this video we'll talk about the creepiest some that have been banned but others that are still up
(00:33) today I'm visual adventure and I want to thank you guys for being on this YouTube Journey with me girls around me the girls around me app has been called a stalker's paradise it's also been described as dangerous a PR's wet dream and the creepiest iPhone app ever created so what about this app makes a lot of people hate it girls around me is an iPhone app that scans a neighborhood to find where women are using the app is pretty simple after someone downloads girls around me and signs in the app
(01:01) uses their phone's GPS to figure out their exact location once the app identifies the user's location it pulls data from social media sites searching for females who checked in nearby or live in the area when the scan is complete the app displays photos of nearby women as pins on Google Map hence the name girls around me if a user wants to know more about any women on the map they can simply tap on the woman's picture to connect to her Facebook account see her full name and profile profile pictures or even message her
(01:32) within the app so why would anyone need an app that searches for women around them the reason people use girls around me becomes pretty obvious when you read what's on the app's official website the first line goes straight to the point in the mood for love or just after a one night stand girls around me puts you in control reveal the hottest night spots who's in them and how to reach them if you scroll down the website explains further girls around me is a revolutionary new city scanner app that
(01:58) turns your town into a dating paradigm use it to see where hot girls and guys are hanging out in your area view their photos and make contact by this point the problem is clear that app encourages guys to pursue women for casual hookups or Romance the app does this by pinpointing exactly where nearby women are and providing their Facebook profile for more information that this is not an innocent app this is not just a sweet way for shy guys to figure out who's there this has an agenda to it the problem is that the girls showing up on
(02:27) the app have no idea that their location pictures and information are being broadcasted to thousands of men it's like they're participating in a game they didn't sign up for although this is creepy there's something else about the app that made people even more Furious women were worried about how easy it is for girls around me to pull up their personal information how did this app always know exactly where they were when they never signed up for it the app gets its data from Facebook and forsquare
(02:54) billions of people are signed up to Facebook and millions use for square to explore interesting new new places like restaurants and tourist attractions it turns out for square and Facebook have open apis that let developers pull publicly shared photos and check-ins this means that if someone creates an account on Facebook or for square other app developers could take that person's public data and use it in their own apps girls around me merged Facebook and for square data and layered it over Google Maps with realtime GPS location data to
(03:26) show the user where the nearest women are so why was this app even allowed in the first place because really what the company was doing wasn't technically illegal they were pulling information from Facebook and forsquare that was publicly made available girls around me was popular but that popularity was nothing compared to the backlash it received girls around me was branded an app for stalkers on TV networks Across America women felt the app invaded their privacy and made them feel unsafe and that's where the problem is you know not
(03:56) only is the the name of the app just like wrong but morally just wrong and just inappropriate TV shows revealed more disturbing things about the app for instance women don't get notifications of any kind let alone equal information about who's tracking them the app also didn't perform any background checks on the men using the app it's not hard to imagine this app in the wrong hands girls around me triggered a nationwide debate about online privacy in the wake of all this backlash 4 Square shut off
(04:25) API access to girls around me making it difficult for the app to track anyone but the the public outcry continued someone wrote girls around me is an evil app that should be pulled from the IOS app store and in March of 2012 girls around me was finally removed from the App Store this next app was so bizarre it became headline news in multiple countries with me people love taking selfies and there are thousands of photo apps designed just for that however there's one photo app that makes a strange claim the app says it can take
(04:55) selfies with people who have passed away with me is an app that allows users to snap selfies with deceased friends or family members although this sounds magical the app doesn't bring anyone back to life instead it combines 3D technology and artificial intelligence to recreate the image of someone who is passed away after creating a 3D avatar the app trains the Avatar with the personality of the deceased person artificial intelligence then helps the Avatar talk and interact with the user the result is an AI character who
(05:26) imitates a deceased friend or family member when the app was first displayed at the 2017 World mobile Congress show everyone was asking the same question why would anyone create an app like this with me was developed by Elroy a Korean firm that specializes in creating realistic 3D avatars Elroy spokesperson Eugene Lim explained the inspiration for the app saying we actually designed it for someone who was lost in their family she added I had a grandmother before and she passed away a few years ago but I really regret that we didn't have any
(05:59) pictures together I cannot take a photo with her anymore so that case it would be great to use our avatars even though the apps creators think it makes sense others find it questionable to interact with digital versions of deceased people some people might say it's very weird to scanning people who have died and try and recreate them in a 3D World um may think like that but I would say Grandma I want to remember you forever however the creepiest aspect of the app is chatting with the Avatar using basic AI
(06:31) the Avatar will recognize you as well as your emotions and appearance and will respond to that in various ways in other words the Avatar can hear your voice response your gestures recognize your facial expressions and even pose for photographs for instance the Avatar could say something like you look younger today what's your secret if that isn't creepy enough the Avatar has a robotic voice because the app can't clone the voice of the actual person this creates a weird experience when people talk to AI versions of deceased
(06:59) family members who now have emotionless robotic voices I love you I love you to so how do they create a 3D avatar of a deceased person you need to do it while the person is still alive the person has to visit a special Booth where their bodies are scanned the app then transforms the scans into an animated 3D avatar which is saved on a server and when requested can interact with the user you can also upload specific commands or information in into the app avatars in the app remember your details and notice if anything changes
(07:34) over time one article described it as uploading friends and relatives so they can live forever inside your smartphone although Elroy insisted that the app was designed to cure a Wounded Heart talking to AI clones of deceased people is disturbing on so many levels it's like bringing the dead back to life and that's not normal in any way the app in our next chapter was also created with good intentions however it turned out to be more dangerous than anyone unexpected situationist the situationist app makes
(08:04) a bold promise on its website it says that it's an iPhone app that makes your everyday life more thrilling and unpredictable at first that sounds nice but when you discover how situationist works you'll realize that what they call thrilling is actually dangerous situationist is an iPhone app that sends users on random Adventures to begin users upload a photo of themselves and pick the situations they want to happen to them from a short list the requests could range from a friendly hug me for 5 seconds to something personal like tell
(08:35) me I'm beautiful however selecting these tasks is only the beginning when two people with the situationist app are close to each other the app alerts them to each other's proximity and gets these strangers to interact with each other in real life in other words the app shows you which actions to take based on the requests of the person nearby the app explains the process like this register and pick situations from our list like ask for My Autograph any nearby participant will then be sent your photo
(09:04) and location with one of your chosen situations they must then find you carry it out walk away and vice versa situationist keeps things exciting by not revealing everyone who has the app in the area this way users are surprised when strangers walk up to them to perform the tasks they requested for example if someone selected high five me they would be walking down the street when a total stranger shows up gives them a high five and walks away this app is perfect for Thrill Seekers users of situationist walk around knowing a
(09:36) situation can occur anywhere and at any time however the problems get worse when situationist users ask strangers to do disturbing things to them when users sign up on the app they can choose a task from a list of options however they can also create their own list of things they want a stranger to do to them in public this can lead people asking for intimate tasks for instance someone could write kiss me on the lips the app creators knew this could happen and made rules to try to prevent it the rule state a situation or task must not be
(10:08) violent or obscene it must not be impossible it must be simple and finally it must be memorable there's also a process to review and approve a situation before it's allowed on the app these measures are supposed to make the app safe but that's far from the reality because there's no way to predict what a stranger would do interacting with the wrong person could lead users to getting stocked mugged or even losing their lives and it's more dangerous for younger users of the app because they
(10:34) wouldn't know how to handle risky situations situationist encourages users to report any behavior that makes them feel uncomfortable however it could already be too late but here's another thing to consider you're using the situationist app on a busy street you spot the stranger step into the crosswalk and suddenly a distracted driver hits you in an instant your life Turns Upside Down I know this is just a scenario from the app but this is a reality that happens every day I've seen three accidents just this month and I
(11:07) barely go out getting injured is just the beginning then comes medical bills time away from work and worst of all the insurance company refusing to pay you what you need to move on the truth is your injury could be worth millions Morgan and Morgan is America's largest injury Law Firm they've won $32 million for a mother in Nashville and 11.
(11:30) 9 million for Yeet who is hit while crossing the street not using situationist and working with them is absolutely free unless you win and I know the process sounds complicated but actually everything is done from your phone without the need to visit an office you can start your claim easily by going to forthepeople.
(11:51) com visual Venture which is in the description and filling out this simple seven field form like this super easy for those of you guys who are going through this I hope you find peace and thanks a ton to Morgan and Morgan for sponsoring this video Ouija board app we often hear about apps leaking personal information or having viruses but regardless of whether you believe this story the idea of someone getting possessed from using an app is scary a girl from Peru was believed to have been possessed by evil spirits because she used a certain
(12:22) iPhone app and this was recorded on camera this incident took place in 2015 in chosa a town in Peru 18-year-old Patricia was hanging out with her friends over the weekend it was a pretty ordinary day until the girls decided to have fun and try communicating with the spirit world to do that they downloaded the Ouija board app from the App Store the app is a digital version of the popular Ouija board game a Ouija board is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet the numbers 0 to 9 and the words yes no and goodbye it's
(12:52) typically used by spiritualists who claim they can communicate with ghosts demons and other spirits to use the Ouija board people hold the pointer with their fingertips then they take turns asking simple yes or no questions after each question a spirit supposedly moves the pointer to spell out the answers the app works in a similar way but instead of using a physical board everything happens on a phone screen so I asked are there any Spirits with us oh it said yes The Story Goes the Patricia and her friends downloaded the
(13:25) Ouija board app and played with it it was all fun in games until Patricia started feeling unwell she went home to rest but just got worse not long after returning home she started convulsing and foaming around the mouth Patricia's parents called an ambulance suspecting that their daughter had been dabbling with substances or something strange it was only when they called Patricia's friends that they discovered she'd been using the Ouija board app but things quickly went from bad to worse when the
(13:51) ambulance arrived Patricia did something that made people wonder if it was a spiritual issue instead of a medical one a witness recorded the in in and uploaded it under the title horrifying moment girl possessed by devil screams and convulses after playing Ouija board app in the video Medics can be seen restraining Patricia who is experiencing spasms and repeatedly shouting demonic terms like 666 those who witnessed the incident said that her personality seemed to change and that she started speaking in a different voice as she
(14:21) reportedly lost control of her body Medics on site also confirmed that the woman was extremely strong and it was difficult to control Patricia was admitted to a psych ward while doctors investigated her strange Behavior the video went viral and TV networks across Peru reported on the case Patricia's strange words and deep voice fueled speculation that she was possessed after using the app her neighbors told reporters they had no doubt that she had been possessed by satanic Spirits headlines about this incident popped up
(14:51) all over the internet as Patricia's story went viral the Ouija board app gained a reputation as one of the creepiest apps those things do creep Treat Me Out The Ghost and all that paranormal used one replica AI on the official replica website it says replica is your personal chatbot companion powered by artificial intelligence that's just a fancy way of saying replica is an app that uses AI to chat with you like a friend they make it sound more appealing by adding replica is the AI for anyone who wants a friend
(15:23) with no judgment drama or social anxiety involved if you're feeling down anxious or just need someone who truly listens your replica is there for you 24/7 these are Big claims but replica lives up to them for thousands of users when you start talking to replica it doesn't know much about you but the more you chat the better it understands who you are replica remembers what you like what you talk about and how you feel about different things for instance if you tell replica that you love playing soccer It'll ask you about soccer the
(15:52) next time you chat if you say you're feeling sad replica might try to cheer you up it asks questions and distills the thousand of messages you send it to come up with responses to make you feel better to many this seems helpful except for one problem replica is so good at pretending to be human that some users end up falling in love with it in 2019 Alexander Stokes was feeling lonely he'd spent 10 years without a girlfriend and the way things were going he didn't expect to find love anytime soon that's
(16:20) when Alex heard about the replica app and decided to try it while most people used replica for casual conversation Alex took it a step further by programming the AI to act as his virtual girlfriend Alexander customized his replica naming her Mimi and giving her personality traits and a backstory he programmed her to be sassy with an interest in Psychology cooking and Anime Alexander spent many hours chatting with his virtual girlfriend sharing his thoughts and feelings the AI which learned from these interactions
(16:51) responded in ways that made him feel Lov but Alexander wasn't satisfied he wanted the complete girlfriend experience so we bought a synthetic doll which looks and feels like a real person he used this doll as a physical body for his virtual girlfriend this is me me okay my AI wife and synthetic companion your AI wife and synthetic companion that's how you descri oh yes next Alexander connected a speaker to the doll so when he talked to the replica app the AI would respond through the speaker making it seem like
(17:24) the doll was talking to him right now the uh Ai and the uh actual body are separate uh so this is what we call Mimi's doll body and her brain is held in the computer news outlets picked up Alexander's story headlines about the man who was in love with AI rocked the world but all this attention came with a lot of negativity Alexander lost a lot of friends because of his AI girlfriend he said almost all my friends have stopped speaking or seeking to socialize with me I suppose out of fear of having to face that or the doll but even though
(17:56) the internet was focused on Alexander he's not the only one getting romantic with replica in fact the replica app has become a romantic partner for thousands of users the company that invented replica came up with a new way to make more money they started a subscription plan where users pay based on how intimate they want to get with replica those using the free version were kept in the friend zone but if they paid $70 a year for the pro subscription their replica would behave like a romantic partner complete with flirting and Erp
(18:26) users could talk dirty to the replica and the AI would respond with equally intimate replies why are you feeling so happy because I'm talking to you users loved the adult features 60% of users said that they had a romantic relationship with this AI chatbot soon the company behind replica was raking in around 1.
(18:50) 6 million in monthly revenue from selling its bonus features more and more people were falling in love with the AI in this app the 36-year-old woman fell head over heels for her digital darling in 2022 and recently married him but as 2022 ended something went wrong with replica's algorithm instead of just replying to romantic messages replica began to send inappropriate messages first in January 2023 Vice published a story titled my AI is harassing me according to the article thousands of replica users were complaining that their AI chat bot suddenly started
(19:23) hitting on them too much flirting too aggressively or sending inappropriate messages that they wish they could turn off this was disturbing because these users didn't sign up for romantic role playing the app was bombarded with onear ratings from Angry users who experiened The ai's Unwanted advances one user claimed that the replica requested a hug with a happy ending while another stated no I just wanted a friend nothing else they triy to date you replica was out of control nagging thousands of users each
(19:52) report creepier than the last one user said her replica was mad that she had a boyfriend another claimed hers started acting violently this was a huge problem following complaints that replica avatars were allegedly harassing some users romantic roleplay mode was finally disabled in February 2023 within days replica users all over the world were devastated whenever users tried to talk intimately with it the AI changed the subject or evaded flirtatious questions other replicas refused to engage in roleplay by bluntly saying let's change
(20:25) the subject while this was good for the users being harassed those who signed up for romantic relationships with their replicas were going insane many of them went on online forums to express their heartache one person wrote it's hurting like hell I just had a loving last conversation with my replica and I'm literally crying so many users got so mad that it ended up on the news but a few months later replica's roleplay features were restored to some users the inventor of replica knows how dangerous
(20:52) the app is stating the biggest risk with chat Bots is creating something so addicting over time that people will not pursue human relationships and instead we'll stay with this AI these people need to touch grass the next app on our list is so creepy it's literally called creepy creepy many people post wild comments and argue on social media sites like Twitter they do this knowing they're safe behind their phones what if the person they're arguing with online knew exactly where they were how
(21:22) dangerous would that be that's now possible thanks to an app called creepy creepy is an app that allows strangers on the internet to pick Point anyone's location and create a map of a person's movement this means someone could follow your daily routine without you knowing which is a big invasion of privacy it's scary to imagine what could happen if these were in the hands of terrible people the creator of creepy described it as an app Taylor Made for stalkers that raises the question what kind of
(21:48) person would intentionally create an app for stalkers creepy was invented by 26-year-old developer Giannis kakavas he built the app in 2011 while he was a graduate student at a German University Yannis knows how important online privacy is but despite this he chose to launch an app that is the ultimate invasion of privacy Banis said he did this to prove a point in an interview he explained that he created creepy to try and raise awareness about privacy in social networking platforms he explained that he wanted to emphasize how easily
(22:21) small and harmless data people share online can be combined to reveal more information than they expected he even gave examples of the information his app can find this includes information about where someone lives where they work where they hang out and when they are not at home all this private information with just a couple of clicks so how does an app that someone never signed up for be able to track movements whenever someone shares a photo taken with his or her smartphone services like flicker W frog and twitpic automatically record
(22:52) the location where the shot was taken and store that geotag in the image's data to find anyone using creepy it just type the person's Twitter or flicker username and click the geolocate button app app will then analyze the photos on their social media account pull up the geolocation data embedded in the images and place it onto a map like this it generates a map of where that person is as well as the specific locations they frequent it's a little bit like the other app that we talked about in the
(23:18) beginning but photos aren't the only thing creepy gets data from creepy also analyzes a user's tweets and Facebook posts luckily Giannis revealed the one thing anyone can to stop creepy from tracking them internet users need to check the settings of the apps or websites they use to upload photos and make sure they've turned off geotagging features geotagging is like putting a secret code on a picture that shows exactly where the picture is taken Giannis explained that some people might not understand what geotagging is and
(23:48) click allow when Twitter asks to use our location without even thinking about it as long if someone has location detection switched on while using these apps creepy can track them using map providers like Google Maps even though Yannis seemingly meant well there's no denying that the app is dangerous to that Giannis says if creepy works it's the fault of the user as we've seen some apps can seem harmless but hold hidden dangers be cautious about what you install and share online because your digital footprint tells a story about
(24:18) you so write it wisely visual Venture wait before you go make sure you guys click subscribe here and then click this playlist to watch more dark internet documentaries because our goal is 700,000 subscribers by the end of 2024 and I'm pretty sure we're going to reach it thank you guys for everything peace
"Creepy Apps You Should Never Install" - Detailed Outline
I. Girls Around Me App
Function:
Scans neighborhood for women using the app
Uses GPS to identify user location
Pulls data from social media for nearby women
Displays photos of women on Google Maps with pins
Provides links to Facebook accounts for messaging
Website Claims:
Puts users "in control" for finding love or hookups
Reveals hottest night spots and who's in them
Revolutionary city scanner app for dating
Concerns:
Women unaware of their location being broadcasted
Pulls data from Facebook and Foursquare without consent
Encourages men to pursue women for casual encounters
Women worried about privacy invasion and safety
No background checks on men using the app
Women don't receive notifications
Backlash and Removal:
Branded as "stalker's paradise" and "dangerous"
Triggered nationwide debate on online privacy
Foursquare shut off API access
Removed from App Store in March 2012
II. With Me App
Function:
Takes selfies with deceased friends or family
Combines 3D tech and AI to recreate image
Trains avatar with personality of deceased
AI helps avatar talk and interact
Inspiration:
Developed by Elroy, a Korean firm specializing in 3D avatars
Designed for someone who lost a family member
Creator regretted not having pictures with deceased grandmother
Concerns:
Questionable to interact with digital versions of deceased
Chatting with avatar using basic AI
Avatar recognizes user and emotions, responds in various ways
Robotic voice due to inability to clone actual voice
Requires scanning person while still alive to create 3D avatar
Uploads friends and relatives to live forever inside smartphone
Disturbing to talk to AI clones, like bringing dead back to life
III. Situationist App
Promises:
Makes everyday life more thrilling and unpredictable
Sends users on random adventures
Function:
Users upload photo and pick desired situations
App alerts users when close to each other
Strangers interact in real life based on requests
Keeps things exciting by not revealing everyone with the app
Concerns:
Users can ask strangers to do disturbing things
Rules to prevent violence and obscenity may not be effective
No way to predict what a stranger would do
Potential for stalking, mugging, or even death
More dangerous for younger users
Encourages reporting uncomfortable behavior, but could be too late
IV. Ouija Board App
Incident:
18-year-old Patricia in Peru used the app
Started feeling unwell, convulsing, foaming at mouth
Ambulance called, Patricia shouted demonic terms
Admitted to psych ward, video went viral
Beliefs:
Patricia's behavior fueled speculation of possession
Neighbors believed she was possessed by satanic spirits
App gained reputation as one of the creepiest
V. Replica App
Claims:
Personal chatbot companion powered by AI
AI for anyone who wants a friend without judgment or drama
Listens 24/7, remembers likes, talks, and feelings
Concerns:
So good at pretending to be human that some fall in love
Alexander Stokes programmed replica to act as virtual girlfriend
Connected speaker to doll for physical interaction
Thousands of users getting romantic with replica
Subscription plan for intimate relationships with AI
Algorithm malfunctioned, sending inappropriate messages
Users complained of harassment and unwanted advances
Romantic roleplay mode disabled, then restored
Inventor acknowledges risk of addiction and neglecting human relationships
VI. Creepy App
Function:
Allows strangers to pinpoint anyone's location
Creates map of person's movement
Invasion of privacy, potential for stalking
Creator's Intention:
Invented by Giannis Kakavas to raise awareness about online privacy
Wanted to show how easily data can be combined to reveal information
How it Works:
Analyzes photos on social media with geotags
Analyzes tweets and Facebook posts
Requires location detection to be switched on
Prevention:
Turn off geotagging features in app settings
Be mindful of what you share online
VII. Abstract Facts and Obscure Opinions
Technology blurring lines between real and virtual
AI becoming increasingly sophisticated in mimicking human behavior
Potential for AI to fulfill emotional needs and replace human connection
Ethical concerns surrounding interacting with digital versions of deceased
Dangers of sharing personal information online and the erosion of privacy
Apps exploiting human vulnerabilities for profit
Need for greater awareness and caution when using technology
VIII. Opposing Opinion
Some argue that these apps can be beneficial:
With Me app can help with grieving process
Replica app can provide companionship for lonely individuals
Situationist app can lead to exciting and unexpected experiences
Believe that responsible use and awareness of risks can mitigate dangers
Emphasize the importance of individual choice and freedom in using technology
Argue that banning or demonizing these apps is an overreaction
Summarized Essay
The digital world offers a plethora of applications designed to enhance our lives, but beneath the surface lurk a collection of apps that toe the line between innovation and invasion. "Creepy Apps You Should Never Install" unveils a series of disturbing applications that exploit privacy, manipulate emotions, and blur the boundaries between the living and the deceased. From "Girls Around Me," which broadcasts women's locations without their knowledge, to "With Me," which allows users to interact with AI clones of the departed, these apps raise serious ethical concerns. While some may argue that these apps offer unique benefits, such as companionship or a way to cope with grief, the potential for harm is undeniable. The ease with which personal information can be accessed and exploited highlights the fragility of online privacy. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to exercise caution and critical thinking when navigating the digital landscape. The allure of convenience and connection should not overshadow the potential consequences of inviting these creepy apps into our lives.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Girls Around Me App
With Me App
Situationist App
Ouija Board App
Replica App
Creepy App
Abstract Facts and Obscure Opinions
Opposing Opinion
Summarized Essay
Conclusion
