Are you part of the 99%? Our latest update is just for you. Last year we introduced the scan app user account as an option for users. In our latest update we are requiring users to create a user account in exchange for using our free app. We knew this decision would be controversial, but given the direction our business is taking as well as some of the problems we are facing we decided it was a necessary step.
Most of our users (around 99%) are amazing contributors to the community. They use scan app and submit product reviews, product photos, product titles and product prices several times a minute – this data is shared with other scan app users. Of course some of our users (around 1%) spend a LOT of time ‘screwing’ with the system. In some cases they are simply adding bad data – data that is shared with millions of users until some reports the issue. In other cases they are uploading obscene photos and/or product reviews – not very nice. One bad actor can impact millions of users before we rectify the issue. With user accounts when we find a bad piece of data we can flag a user to prevent their contributions from being shared beyond their device (feel free to continue to muck up your results, we just won’t share them with others). User accounts = better data and less bullsh*t.
In future releases ofscan app for the tablet and the web we will using the account to link data across these devices. You will be able to create shopping lists on your tablet or computer and have them appear on your mobile device. You will be able to track your shopping, purchase and shipping history on all three devices. We might even be able to deliver you more relevant deals based on where and how often you shop – the sky is the limit.
Was there way to track/flag users without requiring logon? Of course there is, you can generate and store UID per device – in the case of iOS because of cloud storage that can be made to spread to all devices under the same AppleID login. So if account gets flagged, it’s the installation that gets flagged, the device that gets flagged. If i am a bad user, i won’t go and buy another smartphone just to screw up with you! Now, if i just need another email to register new account – i can do that, it is easy.
Don’t believe people are bothered by this change? Oh just check your ratings, 1.5/5 stars for the new version, this is a disaster! This will translate to decreased downloads and usage in the next few days, just watch how long will it take until you start back-pedaling.
At the end of the day, we get it, having to create an account sucks. We tried to make it as easy as possible, leveraging Facebook as much as we could. Give it a try. we know there will be haters, but hopefully the 99% will appreciate the change.