By Kyle Durant:
The common saying, “there’s an app for that” has reached a new level. 63red, a “family of conservative tools,” has created an app which the Washington Post cites as being similar to Yelp. The newest app to launch from the 63red company, 63red Safe, allows users to rate companies, restaurants and other establishments based off how inclusive they are regarding political view.
Founder Scott Wallace, and his team came up with four important questions to consider when rating an establishment:
– Does this business serve persons of every political belief?
– Will this business protect its customers if they are attacked for political reasons?
– Does this business avoid politics in its ads and social media postings?
– Does this business allow legal concealed carry under this state’s laws?
Wallace claimed, “The questions, as you read through them, are designed to be apolitical.”
The app was released earlier this month and is available on the Google Play Store. The description reads, “Reviews of local restaurants and businesses from a conservative perspective, helping [ensure] you’re safe when you shop and eat.”
UPDATE: The app is currently unavailable as the company works to correct a reported data leak.
In November of 2018, Wallace conceived of the idea for 63red Safe while he was shopping. He told the Washington Post he was worried buying a MAGA hat would make him a target for harassment. Wallace explained, “from a political standpoint… conservatives are under physical attack.” He thought, creating an app similar to yelp but for conservatives, would help ensure safety in an increasingly hostile political climate.
On March 11th, Wallace appeared on Fox and Friends, and stated, “We wanted to make sure that people could let others know what restaurants may have a political bent.” After Wallace’s appearance on Fox and friends the 63red servers crashed due to increased traffic however, they are now back up and running.
Emily Kelly, a front-of-house manager for The Fix, one restaurant owned by the local company Niche Hospitality Group, stated, “it’s a first amendment situation,” when asked how she would respond to political apparel being worn in the restaurant.
Kelly stated, “I would hope that they [employees] treat all guests with the same courtesy, respect and etiquette regardless of political view.” She said, when getting friendly with guest they can sometimes blatantly say a political statement, to which her response is, “ I’m not comfortable sharing that with you, I don’t think this is the appropriate setting, but enjoy your burger!”
THE AC301 