So-called "avoid ghetto" app drawing criticism

[Jenna]

Microsoft has patented a new GPS feature dubbed the "Avoid Ghetto" app.

It sends your phone an alert if you're about to enter a neighborhood with a high crime rate.

According to Councilman Reed, Ward 3 would be on the app, and he's not happy about that.

"You can take one step forward. But then someone will see an app like this, hook into it, and that takes you three steps back. Because they aren't going to look at the ward, or the people in the ward, who are trying to make these neighborhoods better. They are going to avoid it," added Reed.

There is nothing in the patent description that refers to ghetto, in fact the word is never even used.

Instead, the patent refers to economically challenged areas populated by individuals who generally travel by walking.

At the Zelma George Rec Center in Cleveland, the app had some people shaking their heads.

"Who is it helping? Definitely not helping, not my people. Definitely a racist app. No way they can spin this to say it's a useful app, it can't be useful to anyone black," said Rodney Spivy, of Cleveland.

more here: So-Called 'Avoid Ghetto' App Drawing Criticism - WTKR

[Pinki]

OMG, that phone will smoke every day for me!!!!

[Pinki]

It's pretty sad Mr. Spivy doesn't seem to believe any of "his people" might not want to surround themselves with the "economically challenged," that maybe they work hard to live in safer neighborhoods. Good grief.

[IMGreat101]

"Who is it helping? Definitely not helping, not my people. Definitely a racist app. No way they can spin this to say it's a useful app, it can't be useful to anyone black," said Rodney Spivy, of Cleveland.

There has never been any crime in any other neighborhood either. It's all about you, Mr. Spivy.

[Pinki]

There has never been any crime in any other neighborhood either. It's all about you, Mr. Spivy.

[JLK]

"Who is it helping? Definitely not helping, not my people. Definitely a racist app. No way they can spin this to say it's a useful app, it can't be useful to anyone black," said Rodney Spivy, of Cleveland.

let me get this straight mr. spivy only blacks live in high crime areas and if a black does not live in a high crime but happens to go through a high crime area they need not fear because black on black crime does not exist? which would mean that a non black person if straying into a high crime area would be targeted based on having a non black skin type.