document: State Department Builds A Panic Button App Imagine you are a pro-democracy protester on the streets of a repressive government . You 've got your cellphone and you are messaging your friends . In the crowd near you , the police start making arrests . Fearing the government will confiscate your phone and investigate your contacts , you push a `` panic button '' on your phone . It deletes the contacts in your address book and sends out an alert . Such an app was n't readily available so the U.S. State Department , acting as a venture capitalist , decided to build one . The State Department tells TechCrunch government funded work is underway to build an Android version of this `` panic button '' app . No release date has been set . Another version designed to work on low-cost Nokia phones , more common in the developing world , is being considered . No iPhone app is planned for now . The special app , first reported by Reuters , is part of an initiative to promote new technologies for social activists . So far , the State Department has funded $ 22 million in `` Internet freedom programming . '' The money goes to innovators in the form of small grants ranging from a few to tens of thousands of dollars . TechCrunch asked who was getting the money , but due to the sensitive nature of the project , the government wo n't disclose names . An open , competitive bid process was used to award the grants . While the government is n't looking for more help building these apps , they may have future projects designed to advance `` Internet Freedom '' in other ways . Keep an eye on www.grants.gov for any additional info . Some of the past program objectives have included developing technology `` to enable users in closed societies to get around firewalls and filters in acutely hostile Internet environments '' and training bloggers and activists to safely and anonymously participate in online forums . The effort is another example of how the administration sees the important role social media and technology has played in global politics . In 2009 , the U.S. asked Twitter to delay maintenance work so real-time information about the Iranian protests could continue . The White House has also called on Egypt and Libya to restore internet blackouts . The State Department says it 's not just writing checks . The government is trying to use venture capitalist techniques to produce the best results . No , the goal is not to make 10x on the investment . But , the government is supporting a diverse portfolio of innovation rather than just funding big established technologies . It 's providing knowledge and connections , not just cash . And they are investing to incubate a new community focussed on the intersection of technology and human rights . Of course with any well intentioned program , there could be negative side effects . What happens if the panic button app gets into the wrong hands , such as drug dealers or terrorists ? A State Department spokesperson tells TechCrunch it 's a legitimate concern and they are taking that into account when planning the distribution and publicity of the app . It seems TechCrunch readers wo n't be a problem .
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