Advoteck Launches Apps to Shield Vulnerable Populations From Online Scams
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A Kansas City-based startup is pioneering a new approach to digital safety,focusing on protecting older adults and individuals with special needs from the growing threat of online scams and exploitation. Advoteck, founded in 2024, has developed a suite of applications designed to proactively prevent the sharing of sensitive details, offering a crucial layer of defense in an increasingly digital world.
The impetus behind Advoteck stems from a deeply personal experiance. “She’s been scammed online multiple times over the past 10 years,causing important financial loss for my family and emotional damage to her,” explained Danny Moran,co-founder and CEO of Advoteck,referring to his sister. This personal motivation fueled the creation of the Advoteck Caregiver app and the TypeSafe Keyboard app, which work in tandem to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Proactive Protection: A New Approach to Digital Security
Unlike existing solutions that typically alert caregivers after sensitive data has been shared, Advoteck’s technology aims to prevent the information from leaving the device in the first place. The core of this protection lies in the TypeSafe Auto-Replace feature,released in May,which functions similarly to autocorrect but for sensitive data.
“If they were to type their credit card number in a Facebook message,” Moran continued, “then our keyboard will automatically replace that message with another message that says, ‘Sorry, I can’t share this information.’ Then it will still notify the caregiver that they attempted to share that information.” This proactive measure allows families to intervene before harm is done, a critical advantage over reactive systems.
The TypeSafe Keyboard is designed with user experience in mind, intentionally avoiding activation on secure payment platforms like Amazon or Target to prevent disruption during legitimate transactions.
Respecting Privacy and Autonomy
Advoteck distinguishes itself by prioritizing both security and user autonomy. according to Moran, “We’re the only ones focused on protecting them in a way that also respects their privacy and autonomy.” This commitment has resonated with investors, securing funding from the Missouri technology Corporation, the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Venture creation Challenge, and Digital Sandbox KC.
The company employs a multilayered security approach. Caregivers are required to verify their identity upon downloading the app, ensuring responsible access and preventing potential abuse. To further protect sensitive information, caregivers input fragments of “secrets” – such as the last four digits of a credit card or a social security number – that will trigger alerts if the user attempts to share them.
Early Adoption and Future Partnerships
Advoteck initiated beta testing in April, partnering with Special Olympics Missouri. Though, initial sign-up numbers were lower than anticipated, with only 10 of the initial 250 families committing to the program. Recognizing the need for broader outreach, the company is now actively pursuing partnerships with senior living communities and banks to extend its protective reach to their residents and members.
“We are now exploring partnerships with senior living communities and banks to protect their residents and members fro
why did Advoteck launch?
Advoteck launched due to a personal experience with the CEO’s sister being repeatedly scammed online, causing financial and emotional harm. This motivated the creation of apps to proactively protect vulnerable populations.
Who are Advoteck’s target users?
Advoteck targets older
