Montreal entrepreneur launches OurPwr, a safety app for women that records video and audio and sends alerts

MONTREAL — A Canadian entrepreneur in Montreal has unveiled a new smartphone app aimed at improving women's safety and helping them deal with situations that could expose them to harassment or assault, through tools for documenting events and quickly notifying trusted people.

The app, called OurPwr, lets users record video, audio and geographic location, and saves time information that can be used later to document what happened.

It can be activated without unlocking the phone, which may help in situations where using the device normally is difficult.

The project is aimed at women who feel unsafe when travelling home at night or meeting new people, as well as those who work in settings that may involve risks.

A harassment experience behind the app's idea

Robyn Petrogiannis, founder and CEO of OurPwr, says the idea for the project came from a personal experience she had as a teenager.

She said she was sexually harassed at her workplace when she was 17.

She added that the experience left her feeling afraid and isolated, before she realized that many women face similar situations.

That led her to develop a technological tool that gives users a greater ability to prepare for and document worrying situations, rather than relying only on asking for help after an assault has taken place.

Recording video and audio without unlocking the phone

According to its developer, OurPwr differs from some traditional emergency apps that rely on a panic button used when danger occurs.

The app is designed to offer tools that can be used before, during and after a worrying situation.

When activated, it can record audio, video and geographic location, and document the time associated with the recorded information.

It also sends alerts to contacts the user has chosen in advance, to let them know that follow-up or help is needed.

These functions are intended to make it easier to document events and keep trusted people informed about the situation.

A map showing how quickly help could arrive

One of the app's main features is a heat-map tool that displays estimates of how quickly help could arrive, based on the locations of trusted contacts.

Users can set up a safety plan in advance before going to a date, a party or on a daily trip, or when they expect to face an uncomfortable situation at work.

The feature allows for planning ahead rather than making every decision while feeling afraid or confused.

However, estimates of how quickly help could arrive are not a guarantee of an actual response, and the app is not a substitute for calling emergency services when there is immediate danger.

Protecting evidence and personal privacy

Petrogiannis says the app was designed with users' privacy in mind, particularly because recordings may contain sensitive information.

She said files are stored securely under the company's procedures, and users are given control over their data.

Users can download recordings after an event ends, keep them on their device, or delete them from the app's servers.

The company also says it does not sell users' data to third parties.

The founder believes that keeping evidence could help women who hesitate to report harassment or assault because they fear they will not be believed.

However, whether any recording is valid as legal evidence is subject to applicable laws and procedures, and the app does not guarantee that recordings will be accepted by judicial authorities.

Study reveals precautions women take in Quebec

The app's founder drew on a study published in 2026 by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, which looked at the steps women take to feel safer.

The study indicated that women are more likely to take regular precautions, such as using taxis or driving instead of walking, and avoiding going out after dark.

These behaviours reflect the effect of personal safety concerns on daily decisions, travel, work and social life.

Petrogiannis hopes the app will give women a greater sense of control over the situations they face.

App also aimed at people who work alone

Although the project focuses on women's safety, it has also attracted interest from professional groups who sometimes work alone.

They include real estate agents who visit clients' homes and health-care workers who travel to different locations to provide their services.

Some parents have also expressed interest in using the app for added peace of mind about their children's safety.

The company is currently raising the funding needed to develop the project and plans to release a version for Android devices soon.

It also intends to add new features in 2027, without disclosing details of all the planned functions.

Information about the app is available on its official website: OurPwr.