With street violence in Rio escalating to daily fatal affairs, the city's inhabitants are seeking new ways to ensure personal safety. As news can spread quickly via word of mouth, a string of apps are helping Cariocans crowdsource information about incidents to keep themselves and tourists safe.

Brazil’s murder figures are at an all-time high, with young black Brazilians at the most risk. As the government fails to keep its people safe, grassroots movements and crowdfunding initiatives are tackling the violence head on. The question is, can brands step in and help the process?

The emergence of female-focused dating, transportation and security apps is indicative of the fact that women’s freedom of movement in everyday life is often curtailed by the threat of violence. Yet as these services often don’t increase access to public spaces, what can be done differently?

After Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s history of alleged sexual misconduct was bared to the world, social feeds were flooded with a singular expression: #MeToo. The hashtag went viral, inspiring over half a million tweets in just 24 hours, but can people really find solace in an online trend?