Hancel, creating networks to protect journalists

This application, which is free, but controlled distribution, allows journalists to launch an alert if faced with a dangerous situation, and serves the family and colleagues to track their movements, in addition to notifying these contingencies organizations defenders of freedom of expression, giving them the opportunity to implement protection protocols.

The Factual civil partnership dedicated to developing technologies for social, filed Tuesday 5 November, in Mexico, the Hancel smartphone application designed specifically for use among journalists conducting research in areas of risk.

Created with funding from the Knight Foundation, the idea of ​​developing the application Hancel arose “after realizing that journalists in Mexico lack security protocols, even those with more experience are released to make coverage in areas of danger, sometimes without telling anyone further, we realized that, in a situation of risk, it may be very difficult to ask for help making phone calls or sending text messages, and then came the idea of ​​creating a panic button on cell phones. “

Pressing that button, which covers virtually all the touch screen, an alert is sent to contacts pre-selected by journalists, which can check real time not only the location of the reporter through Google Maps, but the movements you make from the alert was launched.