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New App Accreditation Scheme to Help Strengthen Digital Safety for Women and Girls

With mobile-apps now part of daily life, their security is more important than ever. However, studies consistently show that a significant portion of apps fail to meet even basic security requirements, leaving users exposed to data breaches, malware and misuse of personal information.

Poor app security can also create opportunities for tech-enabled abuse, a growing form of violence against women and girls (VAWG) where perpetrators misuse connected devices and apps to monitor, stalk, intimidate or control victims. 

This makes security particularly important for apps aimed at supporting women and girls, such as women’s personal safety apps, tracking services, lone-worker platforms, women’s health services, or dating and community apps. Many of these apps incorporate features such as location sharing, personal profiling, image sharing and real-time check-ins that are intended to enhance safety, convenience and connectivity. Yet, if not properly secured, the same features can be exploited to facilitate tech-enabled abuse.

Researchers from the KU Leuven university in Belgium found vulnerability in some dating apps that allowed users to pinpoint someone’s location to a few metres and a recent breach of the women’s ‘Tea Dating Advice’ safety app, which had 1.6 million users, exposed 72,000 personal images and resulted in doxxing and online harassment. Incidents like this highlight how essential it is for developers to embed robust security from the outset, not only to protect women and girls’ safety, but also to protect brand reputation and maintain trust.

Incidents like this highlight how essential it is for developers to embed robust security from the outset, not only to protect women and girls’ safety, but also to protect brand reputation and maintain trust.

To help reduce this risk, the Secured by Design (SBD) Secure Connected Device accreditation (SCD) scheme now includes a dedicated testing framework for mobile-app security. By achieving the accreditation, developers can demonstrate their products have been third-party tested to meet a recognised baseline for digital safety.

All apps submitted to the scheme are assessed against the globally recognised OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS/ MASVS) by an approved independent testing house including Secarma or BSI. Apps are rigorously tested with recommendations provided before certification is awarded for a 12-month period, giving assurance that essential security measures are in place and functioning effectively. To find out more about what is tested and the steps of  accreditation process please download the Roadmap to SCD App Accreditation here. 

Benefits of the mobile-app accreditation include:

  • Strengthening user safety by reducing vulnerabilities and protecting against common security threats
  • Adding a layer of protection against tech-enabled abuse
  • Building consumer trust and confidence
  • A police-endorsed accreditation is a mark of credibility and assurance
  • Increases confidence in a competitive market
  • Reduces the risk of data breaches, regulatory action and negative publicity
  • Supporting safer digital spaces for women and girls
  • Promoting higher security standards across the mobile-app sector
  • A clear, cost-effective and developer-friendly process
  • Police endorsed apps can be confidently recommended by government, statutory bodies and charities

As part of a wider effort to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), secure app design plays an essential role to help protect women from harm, both online and offline.

Michelle Kradolfer, SBD National Manager, said, “Digital safety is no longer optional, it is fundamental to protecting women and girls in today’s connected world. The new app accreditation scheme is a positive step forward, giving app developers clear, robust standards to build security into their apps from the very beginning to help prevent tech-enabled abuse and reduce the risk of harm both offline and online. I am incredibly pleased to introduce this new app accreditation scheme that raises standards and creates safer, more trusted digital spaces for women and girls.”

To find out more about the SBD Secure Connected Device mobile-app accreditation contact one of our Development Officers here.