We all know about child labour but we dont connect with it...right? Well know one really know's when you shop online where your online clothing produced's actually come from.
We’ve already seen mobile apps focused on rating brands toward changing the face of child labor, but recently we came across a like minded organisation to Ed'z....a browser plug-in that goes further. Now on Safari and Google Chrome, helps consumers stay away from products associated with the exploitation of children.
The idea was created through a campaign by a German organisation called Earthlink. The aVOID currently works with all major online shops in the US, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, including Asos, Yoox, Amazon, Target, Macys, Zalando, Google Shopping, Frontlineshop and Otto.
It simply just works as a plug-in to you browser which will be available on all major web browsers in the near future. Earthlink says shop online as usual and you will never even notice your shopping experience has changed. Data from Active Against Child Labour will quietly be working in the background. Automatically filtering out products associated with child exploitation, helping consumers avoid those products altogether.
Brands have long recognized that a significant proportion of shoppers are ethically motivated. Be apart of the change and support Earthlink...shop ethically.
Very interesting information!
ReplyDeleteThe question "How could you help them find what they’re looking for — or avoid what they’re not?" has made me think about their database and method of restricting sales from companies.
I'm not in favour of child exploitation and believe obvious cases of this should be included in the restriction of sales. However, what if certain places are suspected but actually not conclusively expoliting? Many could lose valuable jobs.
Could the restricted companies who exploit cause more harm to the children?
Kurt
Great idea, guys. I'd be interested to hear whether there are any plans to extend beyond browser plug-ins?
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the major online retailers you mentioned have their own smartphone apps as well (such as Amazon and eBay), and as such, users accessing these resources by these methods would be denied the benefit of your service.
Additionally, what do you think about expanding even further to having your own app for clothing and fashion that draws search results from a range of sources, but filters out those of your choosing?
I look forward to your feedback.
Cheers,
Andrew
Hi Andrew and Kurt,
ReplyDeleteGreat point in regards to how could it be more helpful to help consumer find what that are looking for. As far as I understand the way aVoid currently works is based on finding the most attractive item to the consumers tastes though google tracking but only removes the items of clothing that are produced in textile plants of which are know to be using child labour.
I know its a tough to completely shut of a manufacturer economically from online shopping by using aVoid. However its dosent aim to make a already tough third world situation even tough by cutting off what little manufacturing it might have. aVoid simply puts social pressure on lage online providers like, ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Target, BigW, WallMart, Kmart. The retailer will have already purchased the product from the manufacture to retail on there online store, which effects the retailer more then anything when they are uncovered as using child labour. A great example of this is the Shirren Football case that has taken place in the past few weeks.
Andrew, I think going beyond plug-ins is possible and a great idea that Ed'z would love to see happen in the near future. I look forward to keeping you posted on any updates with our own progression with app development but I believe this will be a important part of out social business model.
Cheers,
Josh