Yelp-like app Peeple allows users to review humans

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The creators of Peeple, a Yelp-like app to allow users to rate other people, said they want users to be able to "research" others like they would products.

Peeple creators Julia Cordray and Nicole McCullough said the app, which is aiming for launch around late November, would allow Facebook users to write reviews for the people they know.

The creators said users will be required to use their own real names when using the app and people will not be able to delete or hide negative reviews of themselves. They said reviewers will have to specify whether their association with someone is personal, professional or romantic.

"People do so much research when they buy a car or make those kinds of decisions," Cordray told The Washington Post. "Why not do the same kind of research on other aspects of your life?"

McCullough, a mother of two, said the app would help parents know who to trust with their children.

The creators said they are taking steps to prevent bullying and shaming with the app, including outlawing profanity, sexism and mention of private health conditions.

"As two empathetic, female entrepreneurs in the tech space, we want to spread love and positivity," Cordray said. "We want to operate with thoughtfulness."

Cordray said positive reviews will show up immediately, while negative reviews will be held back 48 hours to give the person being reviewed the chance to change the reviewer's mind.

"There seems to be some fear and I have a lot of empathy for that. With any new idea or concept, there's naturally misunderstandings, there's naturally fear, there's naturally a bit of resistance. But I'm going to lead by example and show that this app is actually more positive than it ever could be negative," she told CBC News.

She said users will not have the ability to opt out of the app.

"Let's say we allow you to delete your profile and let's say you are a person of questionable character. All the people of questionable character could hide from the app and then what's the point?" she said.