“Valor is the next level of personal security,” notes Amanda Rogaly, CEO of BYY Strategic Services. “This is the first patented voice activated panic Super App not just in South Africa, but in the world.”

Voice activation makes for enhanced safety, Rogaly explains. “Because the app is voice activated, you are able to alert our armed response and medical emergency teams as soon as you become alert to a threat or danger, minimising the risk of abduction, theft or other serious crime,” Rogaly says.

She adds that although there has been an increase in the number of panic and security apps available due to rising crime rates, many of these have shortcomings. For example, a criminal is unlikely to wait while their victim fumbles for their phone to press a panic button, before committing the crime. Moreover, it is common for people to forget details like a pin number or manual code to enter on their phone or banking app when faced with extreme stress.

Rogaly explains that once users (on both iOS and Android phones) have downloaded the Valor Super App, they set a ‘panic’ custom command phrase. This is the phrase to be used if they find themselves in a potentially dangerous or high alert situation. “All you have to do is say the phrase, and your phone will dispatch response teams to your exact real-time location. The control room will also monitor ambient sounds via the app, to assess your situation, providing details to emergency and armed response services while they are en route to your exact location.” The app’s real-time tracking means that it can provide a safeguard even in situations where a user might feel uncomfortable, such as when using e-hailing services, which have recently come under the spotlight because of crimes committed against riders by drivers.

The app also notifies your bank when your safety has been compromised, alerting fraud departments so that they can initiate protocols to protect the banking accounts on your phone. This ability to communicate with your bank means that Valor is a valuable tool not only for the security industry, but for the banking industry, too. “Although facial recognition was heralded as a major breakthrough in terms of banking and security, the reality is that criminals can gain access to victims’ bank accounts simply by holding their phones to their faces – but Valor now offers a solution that lessens the financial implications of having your accounts accessed ,” Rogaly says.

She adds that service provider relationships are paramount in this offering. BYY Strategic Services has partnered with some of South Africa’s banks to protect their customers. It has also joined forces with the largest emergency control room in South Africa, so that users are able to receive immediate support from more than 22 000 security and emergency responders throughout the country . All control room agents  are highly trained and multilingual – an advantage in a world that turns increasingly to AI and bots. “Although Valor harnesses AI to educate and support members, when it comes to something as close to the heart as your safety, many people prefer to speak to a human  who can create a connection and offer a greater sense of trust and reliability,” Rogaly comments.

The Valor Super App has been designed in a manner that prioritises speed and simplicity, making it exceptionally easy to use – even in high stress situations.

“We’re particularly proud that every aspect of this app is Proudly South African, from the development of the concept through to design and build. What’s more, BYY Strategic Services, the company behind Valor, is entirely women-owned and -managed,” Rogaly says. The Valor Super App  patent was lodged in both in South Africa and internationally in 2023, showing a forward thinking approach that was well ahead of its time.

“It is a tragic reality that many South Africans live with the fear of theft or even abduction for ransom. At the same time, banks can no longer be confident that facial recognition will protect clients from having money stolen from their bank accounts; they need to take proactive measures to protect their clients. Valor functions as a personal, voice-activated command centre, protecting  the safety of your entire family with nothing more than your own superhero voice,” Rogaly concludes.

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According to the province’s e-Government Department, since its launch in April 2024, the Gauteng e-Panic Button has been downloaded more than 100 000 times by residents.

“The most common incidents where people have been assisted include motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian vehicle accidents, assaults, shooting and sexual offences.

“The leading Gauteng regions with the most recorded incidents are Johannesburg with over 21 000 callouts, Ekurhuleni with over 11 000 callouts and Tshwane with over 10 000 callouts. Furthermore, the department has started noticing calls from residents pertaining to missing persons, which refers to cases of kidnapping in Gauteng,” the department said.

Gauteng e-Government MEC Bonginkosi Dhlamini hailed the e-Panic Button as an important tool for helping to fight crime and deal with emergencies for Gauteng residents.

“It is without a doubt that the e-Panic Button is making a difference in our communities. Its effectiveness can only be acknowledged if residents download and use it in a time of need.

“Our team is always ready and fully capable to attend to residents when they call for help. Our turnaround time to deploy ambulances or armed response is between 7 – 10 minutes,” Dhlamini said.

The e-Panic Button can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

“Those who have already downloaded are encouraged to use the e-Panic Button in times of emergencies to receive assistance from the command centre,” the department said.

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