ZoraSafe Launches Innovative Cybersecurity App for Older Adults
The cybersecurity landscape has traditionally prioritized business clients, often leaving individual users, especially older adults, vulnerable to online threats. Addressing this gap, the startup ZoraSafe, founded by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow, is developing an app designed to protect older internet users from scams and hacking attempts while educating them on safe online behavior.Core Features of the ZoraSafe App
Set to launch within a month, ZoraSafe will offer a subscription-based service priced at $12.99 per month for individuals, with higher rates for family and group plans. The app’s initial version includes several key functionalities:- QR code scanning to detect malware and phishing attempts.
- Ability to forward suspicious SMS texts and emails to ZoraSafe for expert analysis.
- Community-driven sharing of identified scams to update and protect the entire user base promptly.
“We’re trying to incentivize social sharing of scams, so we can also alert the entire Zora network at once,” explained Catherine Karow. “One person is alerted by that scam, and then we can make sure everyone in that community is protected immediately.”AI-Driven Scam Detection with Privacy at Its Core
Future updates of the app will incorporate an AI system capable of joining suspicious phone calls to identify scams or deepfake attempts. Importantly, this feature will not record or listen to calls, maintaining user privacy. Ellie King Karow emphasized the app’s privacy-conscious design: “Our AI engine processes 85% of data locally on the device, with only 15% handled in the cloud, and that portion is sanitized to remove personal information before transmission.” When a threat is detected, ZoraSafe initiates an interactive chat that informs users about the nature of the risk and educates them on how to recognize and respond to similar threats in the future.Innovative Tools to Enhance User Accessibility
To circumvent iOS restrictions on app monitoring, ZoraSafe plans to introduce an NFC sticker integrated into phone cases. This will allow users to quickly access the app during deepfake calls or emergencies such as falls. Additionally, an iOS “Share to ZoraSafe” feature will enable users to send suspicious text messages or emails directly from their device menus for analysis.Expansion Plans and Multilingual Support
The founders intend to broaden ZoraSafe’s reach by tailoring the app for children, establishing partnerships with schools, and launching versions in multiple languages, beginning with Spanish.ZoraSafe to Showcase at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
ZoraSafe will participate in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27-29 in San Francisco. The event offers a platform for emerging companies to present innovative solutions and connect with industry leaders.“The whole purpose is to build resilience so that even if you’re not directly interacting with the app, you’re more aware when engaging online,” Ellie King Karow stated.FinOracleAI — Market View
ZoraSafe addresses a significant underserved market segment: older adults who are increasingly targeted by online scams but often lack tailored cybersecurity tools. By combining proactive threat detection with educational microlearning, ZoraSafe could improve digital safety and confidence among this demographic.- Opportunities: Growing senior internet user base; increasing scam sophistication; potential expansion to children and multilingual markets; partnerships with educational institutions.
- Risks: Competition from established cybersecurity firms; challenges in user adoption among less tech-savvy individuals; regulatory constraints on app monitoring features.
Impact: ZoraSafe’s innovative approach combining AI-driven protection with user education positions it as a promising entrant in consumer cybersecurity, particularly for vulnerable older populations.
Contents
ZoraSafe Launches Innovative Cybersecurity App for Older AdultsCore Features of the ZoraSafe AppAI-Driven Scam Detection with Privacy at Its CoreInnovative Tools to Enhance User AccessibilityExpansion Plans and Multilingual SupportZoraSafe to Showcase at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025FinOracleAI — Market View
