The Yelp-like Peeple app allows users to rate human beings like Amazon products by assigning them up to five stars. However, the reaction on social media sites have been widely negative, comparing it to a "Community" episode in which a similar mobile app turns the college into a "Hunger Games"-like society that is ruled by five-star elites.
However, Peeple is being marketed as an app for "positive" people. Users can rate humans in their day-to-day lives in three different categories: personal, dating, and professional.
Peeple's founders Nicole McCullough and Julia Cordray told The Washington Post that anonymous reviews are not allowed. Verification is made through a functioning mobile phone and a Facebook account at least six months old, according to The Verge.
In addition, users can "dispute" any negative ratings of two or less stars. The process involves asking the reviewer via a message to change their scoring.
Peeple app users can tag inaccurate reviews for deletion. In addition, the site will remove users who have been reported for bullying.
Still, users are unable to opt out of Peeple. Also, it is possible for people to sign up anyone they know if they have their mobile number.
There is also a big question about how negative reviews are defined. It could be judged strictly on the star rating, or also on content.
Nevertheless, the Post has reported that Peeple's value is already estimated at $7.6 million. It will be launched on iOS devices in mid-to-late November.
One possible problem is that Chris Chuter's company just won $150K in a UK competition for its smart, Web-based mobile peephole that is a "virtual caller ID" for homes, according to Wired. The product is also named Peeple.
This video is a preview of the Peeple app: