ZoraSafe: An AI App Aiming to Shield Older Adults from Scams: Why Usable Security Matters

ZoraSafe uses AI powered scam detection to flag and block scams targeting older adults. Presenting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the app emphasizes user friendly security, explainable AI, and trust oriented automation to reduce elder fraud and support caregivers and service providers.

ZoraSafe: An AI App Aiming to Shield Older Adults from Scams: Why Usable Security Matters

Introduction

Older adults remain a frequent target for online scams, and ZoraSafe aims to change that. The app uses AI powered scam detection to flag or block suspicious messages and transactions for non technical users. ZoraSafe will present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, bringing visibility to an approach that pairs accessible automation with trust and explainability.

Why older adults need simpler digital security

Many security products assume a baseline of digital fluency that older users may not have. Phishing, social engineering scams, and fraudulent payment requests exploit both technical gaps and trust. Two facts frame the problem:

  • ZoraSafe will present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, increasing exposure to investors, partners, and agencies focused on elder fraud prevention.
  • Internet use among older adults has grown, so more people aged 65 and older are online and exposed to digital risks.
  • Global demographics are shifting: by 2030 one in six people worldwide will be age 60 or older, expanding the at risk population.

In short, more older people are online than before, and many encounter scams they are not equipped to spot. Traditional security can be confusing, and informal support from family or institutions is uneven. ZoraSafe positions itself as a straightforward layer of defense tailored to that group.

Key product features

  • AI powered detection: The app analyzes messages, links, and suspicious transactions to identify patterns associated with fraud, including deepfake and voice cloning attacks.
  • Blocking and flagging: Risky content is either blocked or clearly flagged with plain language guidance, reducing the chances of accidental engagement.
  • User friendly interface: The design minimizes configuration and jargon so non technical users can benefit with minimal training.
  • Explainable AI: Alerts include simple explanations so users and caregivers understand why something was flagged, building trust and reducing confusion.
  • Real time scam alerts: Immediate notifications help prevent urgent fraud scenarios such as impersonation or fake emergency payment requests.

How it works in practice

ZoraSafe automates initial triage of digital interactions that commonly lead to fraud. If a message requests money or personal data and matches patterns linked to scams, the AI flags it and offers a plain language explanation. The emphasis is on trust and ease of use rather than complex customization, a deliberate trade off to keep cognitive load low for older users.

Implications for businesses and agencies

ZoraSafe reflects a shift toward packaging AI as an accessible safety service rather than a developer tool. For small businesses and agencies that serve older customers, this model offers clear benefits:

  • Trust as a differentiator: User friendly security can be a selling point for banks, insurers, and healthcare providers focused on clients who value reassurance.
  • Operational efficiency: Automating routine scam detection can reduce support volume and free human staff to handle complex cases.
  • Partnership opportunities: Organizations can pilot or integrate such technology to bolster elder fraud prevention efforts and improve customer retention.
  • Deployment challenges: Effective AI needs quality training data, ongoing monitoring to limit false positives, and thoughtful integration with existing workflows and compliance requirements.

Trends and context

Recent trends in elder fraud include more convincing AI enabled scams such as deepfakes and voice cloning. Attention is shifting toward explainable AI and human centered design so that protective technology is both effective and trusted. ZoraSafe is an example of how AI solutions can be tailored for vulnerable users while keeping oversight and escalation paths clear.

Conclusion

ZoraSafe demonstrates a practical, user centered application of AI to a clear consumer problem: protecting older adults from online fraud. Its appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 should accelerate conversations about trust oriented automation, explainable AI, and accessible security for aging populations. Organizations that serve older customers should watch these developments and consider partnerships or pilot programs that prioritize usability and human oversight.

Practical takeaway: Combining simple UX with reliable AI powered scam protection can increase adoption among vulnerable users and help agencies reduce harm while improving operational efficiency.

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