Beyond antivirus software, cybersecurity has mostly focused on serving businesses, often leaving everyday users to fend for themselves. This is especially true for older adults, who may be less familiar with digital technology and therefore more at risk.
ZoraSafe, a company started by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow, aims to change that. Their mission is to develop an app that not only shields seniors from online threats like scams and hackers, but also educates them on digital safety using interactive, game-like lessons. Catherine and Ellie shared their vision with TechCrunch ahead of the TechCrunch Disrupt event, where ZoraSafe will compete in the Startup Battlefield.
The app is still in development, but Catherine and Ellie anticipate releasing it within the next month. Individual users will pay $12.99 per month, with higher pricing available for families and groups.
During a phone interview, Catherine described some of the app’s initial features: it will include a tool to scan QR codes for potential threats, an option to forward suspicious texts and emails to ZoraSafe for review, and a way for users to report scams or dangers so they can be added to a shared database for the benefit of others.
“We want to encourage people to share information about scams, so that if one person is targeted, the entire Zora community can be notified right away and everyone stays protected,” Catherine explained.
Looking ahead, future updates will introduce a function that lets users invite ZoraSafe to join a questionable phone call, allowing the company’s AI to determine if it’s a scam or a deepfake. Catherine noted that the app will not record or listen to calls in these situations.
When a threat is detected, the app will open a chat to explain what happened and guide the user on how to recognize and handle similar risks in the future, according to Ellie.
“Our main goal is to help people build up their defenses, so that even when they’re not using the app, they’re more cautious and informed when online,” she said.
Ellie mentioned that the AI system prioritizes privacy, with 85% of data processing happening locally on the device and only 15% in the cloud, and that any information sent is stripped of personal details before leaving the user’s phone.
Catherine added that they are also working on an “NFC sticker” to be placed on phone cases, enabling users to quickly access the app during a deepfake call or in emergencies like a fall. This approach helps them work around iOS’s restrictions on monitoring other apps. Another solution is a “Share to ZoraSafe” option in the iOS menu, letting users send suspicious messages or emails directly to ZoraSafe’s system.
In the long term, the sisters hope to extend ZoraSafe’s protection to children, collaborate with schools, and roll out the app in additional languages, starting with Spanish.
If you’re interested in discovering more about ZoraSafe—and want to explore dozens of other startups, hear their presentations, and attend talks across four stages—join us at Disrupt in San Francisco from October 27 to 29. Learn more here.
