REDEFINING USER EXPERIENCE: SECURITY AS THE STANDARDS FOR MOBILE APPS
There is no doubt that designing an app based on user experience is essential to an apps success. But, can an app actually harm users by not considering its user experience? What if user experience demands security for its users and protection against fraud or scams?
Let’s take a look at Craigslist…
Case Study: Craigslist.org
Go to www.craigslist.org/sfc. Look at the postings. Can you find one that lists a 1-bedroom for rent for $750? The one with a beautiful picture? Of course you can!
If you’re a person seeking to move to San Francisco, you’re probably desperate to find a place you can afford. If you see an ad as described above, you’d probably reply to the posting with an email seeking more information or seeking to introduce yourself.
That’s when the fraudster goes in for “the kill.” Shortly thereafter, you’d get a text or email asking you to sign-up on another website to view the information about the apartment. Roomster.com is the target website. After spending money to get an account on Roomster.com, you are then contacted by the landlord or perspective roommate (or the fraudster). Then, you are asked to secure the room or apartment by tendering a security deposit. The likelihood of success of scamming someone is high. Very high.
Is CL becoming part of the problem and not the “solution?”
Mobile-First & User Experience
As more and more of us turn to our smartphones to do our banking, social, and personal endeavors, it is imperative for developers, designers, and founders to address the issue of security as a part of user experience. Without providing security, users will be left to the imagination of criminals and fraudsters. Moreover, there’s little users can do to protect themselves from those who seek to prey on them.
Developers, designers, and founders are in a much better position to prevent the financial and emotional harm these individuals seek to commit on users. Users are not able to do so. And users are in desperate need of your help.
If you are a developer, designer, or founder of a website or mobile app, are you committed to providing a safe user experience for your users? The safety of your users is in your hands….
