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Erin Bury

What you need to know about Tellonym!

Tellonym.me is the product of German app developer, Callosum, and with 13 million monthly users is creeping up the popularity charts and starting to be seen in the junior years of High School and Primary Schools across Australia.

Like Sarahah, Ask .FM and Whisper this is an anonymous app but it adds a bit of a twist. As shown below, the app claims to be the most honest place on the Internet, allowing a user to find out what people really think of them and providing a space to ask inappropriate questions should they download it. The app is currently available via both the Apple app store and Google Play.

Like all anonymous apps, messages sent to the account holder from other users cannot be traced to their original sender, but unlike its contemporaries – Tellonym allows the user to reply to any feedback. After the abrupt dumping of Sarahah for perceived promotion of cyberbullying last year from all app stores, the German developers at Tellonym are attempting to add an element of protection for younger users. In a quote from one of the developers, 'Tellonym surmises that it moderates in excess of 200 posts per day, and that 60% of these are deleted.'

Parental controls are available and can be set up to filter the kinds of questions that people can be asked, and block messages with specific words. Users are able to report offensive content, block the type of content they receive, and block other users.

Messages are not viewable publicly, but should an account holder respond to a 'Tell', it will become visible on the user’s profile which is public. Terms of use also specifically state that any sexually explicit content or content intended to offend may not

be posted on the platform.

This is an attempt to take a step in a positive direction in the anonymous app market but there are still problems.

What issues should you be aware of?

Inconsistent age restrictions

The app’s restrictions in its terms and conditions of service prohibit the downloading of the app by anyone under the age of 17 years old.

In another section of the app, while signing up the question is asked whether a user is under or over 16 – with no restrictions applying should the individual select the under 16 option. The Apple store recommends Tellonym for those over 12, and the Google Play store holds the same 12+ restriction.

None of these are effective in preventing younger individuals from signing themselves up. This inconsistency and lack of age enforcement is a problem. Individuals are able to sign up with an email address or a phone number and that is that. Safe of Social has noticed a number of students well below the age of 17 citing account addresses in the bio section of their Instagram accounts.

What would we recommend?

The apps initial suggestion of 17+. This is not an app for younger students. Multi- platform links. This app, once subscribed to can be linked to Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. It mines the individual account holders contacts from all these social media accounts.

Data collected across all these platforms is available to the Tellonym developers. Location information taken from additional platforms can be used to accurately pinpoint the location of a Tellonym user.

Third party data usage

The Terms and Conditions for this app are all over the place. Repeated use of the words 'generally' and 'where possible', and the wide scope of the terms listed all point to large amounts of data collection taking place. There is no visible way that this app is making money (it’s free) and the assumption is easily made that data is being harvested, and sold belonging to the individuals possessing accounts. They are using the data they collect on each account holder to target advertising, and state they may share public, aggregate or de-personalised information with any entity they do business with.

Generally inconsistent

Combined with the age restrictions, and the dithering in the terms and conditions, the facts that the app and the developers cite vary greatly. According to publicity releases (cited about) 60% of 200 reported are moderated and removed daily, but according to the terms and conditions, this figure is 30% of 1000. This a quite a difference. And this is after messages have passed through the app's filters and those set by users.

Location data

The Terms and Conditions state that they are converting your IP address to a rough geolocation. Pair this with the advanced location data that can be provided through the links the app fosters with Snapchat and Instagram – this is a security and privacy risk to the user. Switching off a device’s location services becomes even more vital when using this app.

People will be mean

And this is the crux of the matter.

This kind of app is designed for individuals with a level of maturity not seen in younger teens. All anonymous apps have been plagued with nastiness, and the risk of cyberbullying is high on anonymous apps used amongst teens, as the anonymity provides the freedom to hide behind a keyboard. As seen with Sarahah, cyberbullying complaints are rife through the product reviews within the app stores, and though the app allows blocking and filtering to be set up – this often happens after the damage is done. Schools in NSW and QLD should be reminded that as a result of the change in legislation called Dolly’s Law cyberbullies who post with intent to cause mental or physical harm are now liable for a 5 year jail term – and the terms and conditions of Tellonym specifically state that in the event of a police matter – identities of the offenders will be revealed.

And bullies beware…

Shown below in the section headed 'information disclosed for the protection of …others' there is a statement that Tellonym will release information if it subjected to a governmental order.

A governmental order could be viewed as one coming from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner requiring a take down, or the Police being provided details of the individual posting offensive content.

Remember to screen shot any offensive material, and report it to the app first and to esafety.gov.au if the app doesn't remove the offending material.

How to report Cyber-Bullying

Statistics say that one in five Australian children aged 8 to 17yrs have been the target of cyber-bullying in the last year. Most social media networks have rules banning cyber-bullying and have complaints tools for reporting.

Firstly, take screenshots so you have evidence.

Then report and block the bully on whatever social media app is being used. Some social media sites can take up to 48hrs to remove the reported post but you MUST report through these channels before reporting to to The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner.

Report it to The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner by filling in the online complaints form at esafety.gov.au if the site does not act in 48hrs.

If the bullying is threatening someone’s life or involves child pornography immediately contact your local police station.

Everything you post on social media impacts your personal brand. How do you want to be known?

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