FBI Updates Free Child ID App

Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Jackson Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is notifying Mississippi parents that the FBI Child ID App has been updated with new features.

The FBI Child ID App, which is currently available for use only on iPhones and only downloaded for free from the App Store on iTunes, was launched on August 5, 2011 as a tool for parents. This free app, the first mobile application created by the FBI, provides a convenient place for parents to electronically store photos and vital information about their children so that information is readily available if needed. The app also includes tips on keeping children safe, as well as specific guidance on what to do should a child go missing.

In response to user feedback, the Child ID App has been updated to include the following features:

Passwords: Parents now have the option of password protecting the application.

Photos: Parents can now add any pictures from their iPhone’s image library.

Other additions include new icons and styles, smarter keypad input fields, and data protection that prevents the loss of unsaved data should the application be closed before saving.

“The FBI does not collect or store data from this app,” stated SAC McMullen. “Our goal in creating this application is to enable parents to provide pictures and physical identifiers to security or law enforcement officers immediately upon realizing a child is missing. This is a tremendous tool to be utilized in conjunction with parents educating their children about personal safety. It literally allows parents to put their children’s safety in their own hands. ”