Winnipeg-based SpotSquad is a new addition to the list of mobile apps that has been created to put money in the pockets of people who report illegal parking. For instance if someone has parked a car in a disabled person’s spot or in front of a fire hydrant, a user reports the violation and he or she will get a share in the fine if the driver gets charged. However, before reporting a parking violation, users first need to take a picture of the wrongly parked vehicle as evidence through SpotSquad mobile app after which both the startup and the user will get a cut from the fine charged to the driver.
To make it more exciting, the Canadian startup will also allocate different ranks to users, which ranges from Private, Captain, Corporal and more. However, users will have to earn a rank, as it will help them increase their percentage of share in the fine, which they get after registering a successful report. While the percentage of the share ranges from 0 percent to 40 percent.
It is noteworthy to mention here that SpotSquad app was created during a Ramp Up Weekend in 55 hours, which was a remarkable feat for the team behind the startup. But in contrast to other startups, SpotSquad has a big team, as it comprises of 10 members, which include Adam Pazdor, Dustin Refvik, Chris Johnson, Matt Doak, Justin Foot, Peter Braun, Nick Danzinger, Taylor Sando, Shivaram Narayanan and Youlan Wang. In this 10 member team, two have founded tech startups previously as well, whereas three are marketers and five are software developers.
Although, the idea behind the app sounds pretty interesting, there are some legal worries regarding the concept of the mobile application. Parking Mobility is an app that is quite alike SpotSquad, but that major difference is that it based in the US and according to the project director of the app, Mark Marsh, the idea for the app will not work.
Marsh talked to The Canadian Press an said, “There is not a city in the world that would allow that because what you create then is vigilantism. When the individual who reports a crime profits from the reporting of that crime, then that crime is no longer enforceable. There is not a court in the world that would uphold that type of violation.”
Lawyers are also not convinced with the idea, as a lawyer from Winnipeg, who has specialized in social media law, has said that the app would lead to a legal minefield.
Quoting the lawyer The Canadian Press reported that, “It’s unclear if charter rights would apply or whether a person taking a photograph would be bound by the same privacy laws as public sector workers, [Brian Bowman] said. Just because a car is parked in a public place, that doesn’t mean the driver can’t expect some privacy rights, Bowman suggested.”
Source: TechVibes
Photo: Winnipegsun
HTC One Mini to Hit the Stores in August – Report
Canadian Media Outlets Bell and Shaw Joins Hand with Twitter
Lunches So Good Kids Can’t Ignore Them
Invigorating Ginger Smoothie
The U.K.’s Youngest Parents Ever
The new hair Jennifer Lawrence