Idle Reporter
Web and SaaS
civic reporting app
SHOW HN2025
How HN took it
20 positive, 17 neutral or asking, 1 mixed, 39 critical, out of 77 comments about the project. Thread score -0.20.
Idea: 18 for, 30 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 7 againstPricing: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Practical use of AI for civic enforcement
From 2 comments
Now this is a practical use of AI, kudos!
elektor on HNAmazing ! Decentralizing traffic enforcement is a win-win. Bravo to NYC for opening this sort of program and OP for turning it into an "efficient free market". Will try it out…
screye on HN
Good idea to decentralize traffic enforcement
From 2 comments
Amazing ! Decentralizing traffic enforcement is a win-win. Bravo to NYC for opening this sort of program and OP for turning it into an "efficient free market". Will try it out…
screye on HNI like the general idea, and I’ve been surprised this hasn’t taken off elsewhere, eg citizen videos for traffic violations like blocking intersections, it seems these should be…
theptip on HN
Objections
Paying citizens to snitch on each other is dystopian and invites abuse
From 3 comments
I feel it's Orwellian, or Stalin-esq to have us being paid off to snitch on each other. Certainly, if you have evidence of murder or something, please do report it. But for an…
Nifty3929 on HNGenuinely curious, why aren't people allowed to say this is dystopian without getting flagged? What rule, specifically, does that violate? I think this is dystopian. Paying…
gametorch on HNAwesome. Offer tech that helps people more easily become arbitrary snitches on activity in ways that's absurdly easy to manipulate or take advantage of, all while further moving…
southernplaces7 on HN
Subscription pricing is steep for occasional use
From 1 comment
Nice. Pricing seems a bit steep for occasional use; does iOS make it easy to do micro-transactions with Apple Pay? (I get the dev may be trying to put bread on the table with…
theptip on HN
Anonymity of tipsters and trust erosion concerns
From 2 comments
The problem here is the anonymity for the tipster. Like if you can't defend your actions by putting your name to them are they actions worth taking? The guy who reports one…
potato3732842 on HNUsing AI to improve enforcement makes sense, but I do worry a bit when reporting turns into a way to make money. If people start watching each other for profit, it feels like we…
Zaylan on HN
Requests
Ability to report illegally parked police vehicles
From 1 comment
Feature request: the ability to report illegally parked police vehicles
stemlord on HN
Explain what the AI does in the app
From 1 comment
Since you've mentioned it, that'd be great to give some details regarding the AI mechanism you used. I really find that trend of hiding everything behind "The Divine AI"…
a5c11 on HN
Questions
How to defend against maliciously AI-altered video reports
From 1 comment
In this age of generative AI, how would a someone defend against a maliciously AI generated/altered video report?
wingspar on HN
How the AI mechanism works
From 1 comment
Since you've mentioned it, that'd be great to give some details regarding the AI mechanism you used. I really find that trend of hiding everything behind "The Divine AI"…
a5c11 on HN
Alternatives named
Solve SF app
From 1 comment
I love that you and others are making it easier for the public to report issues and violations. Another example in the same vein (but no financial reward for reporting!) is the…
rahimnathwani on HN