A few weeks ago, kosack Boberto was wondering about creating an app to help identify products the purchase of which would indirectly fund ALEC. The idea was to be able to scan a barcode on a product and be told if it was owned by one of the many companies that support ALEC.
You can see that diary here.
Today, I came across a very similar app. It's more generic than the one proposed by Boberto. You can create and join "campaigns" and scanning items will tell you if that product supports that campaign's criteria.
Of course, you can use the information as you will: boycott the item, or buy it in support of the cause.
The current campaigns highlighted on the app's site are:
• Avoid George Soros Investments
• Boycott Nestlé Products
• Local & Sustainable Food Initiative
• Vegan and Cruelty-Free
• Equality for LGBTQ
• Avoid Koch Industries
• Cut Funding Ties To ALEC
• Demand GMO Labeling
• Support Prop 37 Donors
• Colbert Nation
• Encourage Sandy Relief Contributors
I haven't look closely at the mechanics, but you can create new campaigns tailored to your needs. I'm guessing you'd have to come up with a data source for products connected to your cause.
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting way of spreading information about individuals' and groups' reach into our political process.
The app is free. I don't know if it is ad supported, if you have to pay to join campaigns, or how they make their money.
The app is called "buycott". It's available for iOs and Android devices. And their website is here.
I have not used this app, and am NOT recommending it or criticizing it. Just bringing to your attention.
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If you have experience with the app, its producers, or have any insights, please feel free to share.
Disclosure: I'm not connected to buycott in any way. It's just something I came across and found interesting in light of Boberto's previous diary.