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When was the last time your parents or grandparents texted you asking, “Is this message a scam?” If it happens often, you’re not alone—and two sisters might have just built an app to fix that for good.
Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow, the sister-founders of ZoraSafe, are tackling a big problem a lot of tech companies ignore: helping older adults stay safe online.
While most cybersecurity tools are designed for businesses, ZoraSafe is personal. It’s one of the few apps built specifically for seniors who didn’t grow up navigating links, QR codes, pop-ups, and phishing emails.
The app’s not out yet, but Catherine and Ellie told TechCrunch it’s launching in about a month with a subscription price of $12.99 a month. Family and group plans will cost a bit more.
Teaching Through Scams, Not Just Blocking Them
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What makes ZoraSafe different isn’t just that it blocks threats—it tries to teach users how to spot them next time.
If a user gets a sketchy email or text message, they can forward it to the app and have it analyzed. If it turns out to be a scam, ZoraSafe adds it to its shared threat database and warns the entire community.
As Catherine puts it, “We’re trying to incentivize social sharing of scams.” That way, if one person spots something suspicious, everyone in the network can be alerted.
The app also has a built-in chat that breaks down what just happened—what the threat was, how it worked, and how to avoid similar scams in the future. It’s microlearning, but gamified and made simple for people who might still be getting used to smartphones.
Ellie explained it like this: “The whole purpose is to build resilience.” Even if someone isn’t always using the app, they’ll still become more aware and confident online.
What the First Version Can Do
Here’s what features you can expect at launch:
- QR code scanning for malware or phishing traps
- Forward suspicious emails and texts to ZoraSafe for review
- Share known scams with the community for early warnings
And that’s just the start. In future updates, the app will also support:
- AI that joins suspicious phone calls to detect scams or deepfake voices
- A conversation assistant explaining threats and giving tips right after detection
- Privacy-first architecture, with 85% of AI processing done on your device
Ellie says the app’s system is designed to protect privacy from the ground up. Only 15% of data is processed in the cloud, and that’s scrubbed of personal info before it even leaves the phone.
NFC Tags and iOS Workarounds
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If you’re wondering how this all works inside Apple’s tight app environment, the sisters have found some creative workarounds.
ZoraSafe is developing an NFC sticker—something you could place inside a phone case. If a user receives a sketchy phone call or even falls and needs help, tapping the phone could instantly launch the app or alert a caretaker.
On iPhones, users will also get a “Share to ZoraSafe” button, making it easier to forward suspicious messages through the iOS share menu.
Launching at a Huge Stage
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ZoraSafe will make its big debut on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, happening from October 27 to 29. It’ll be one of the startups featured in the Startup Battlefield, facing off with other new products in front of tech leaders from Netflix, Box, and more.
Catherine and Ellie also have longer-term plans. They want to expand the app’s reach to kids, work directly with schools, and eventually launch in multiple languages—starting with Spanish.
But right now, the focus is clear: helping older people surf the web with less fear and more confidence.
If you ask me, it’s about time someone built a product with them in mind.
Interested in checking it out for yourself? Head to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco this October—or keep an eye out for the app, which should hit app stores soon.
