As a founder I really do see lot's of value in technology to drive our society forwards, but I just can't wrap my head around some stuff..
I greatly appreciate the women who wear these badges: https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/23479.aspx because it makes it unambiguous. It can honestly be hard on a packed London underground train to tell the difference between a pregnant woman and someone who is simply overweight.
If they're actually just fat, or if they don't consider themselves old, or if they don't speak English, or they're upset at my presumption they're weaker than me, or they're mentally ill or whatever, no problem.
Of course, if there are people between them and your seat, there's a chance someone different will take your seat. So it's not an infallible solution.
I'd only been in London about 2 days, I jumped up like a good boy scout, conscious of the fact I was in the "priority seat" (for those outside of London our tubes have the nearest seats to the door reserved for those less able or up the duff).
This lady burst into tears. I tried to apologise, then just got off and walked.
Since then I've firmly put the impetus on those in need to ask.
Also, pregnant women tend to hold their bellies. Overweight people don't. And if you accidentally offer your seat to someone who's chubby and has indigestion, well just tell them they looked like they had indigestion.
I'm also surprised to see this on BBC of all places, since Transport for London specifically makes "Baby on Board" buttons for pregnant women to wear to make it more obvious for commuters. https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/23479.aspx
I think some commuters might be just oblivious to the need some of pregnant and elderly folks, without actually trying to intentionally deny them a seat. I feel that raising awareness instead of reverting to an app, is a better long-term approach.
When my wife was pregnant (this was in London) she would specifically ask people if she could have their seat. Nobody ever refused, nor did they even appear annoyed. Even in very crowded carriages.
If you are doing this, the likelihood is that there is someone more in need of a seat than you, and possibly for invisible reasons (e.g. carrying a minor leg injury, first trimester of pregnancy, or just tired).
Some people in a certain age range (mid-late 60s) may be grateful for a seat, but don't want to think of themselves as old enough to warrant being offered a seat.
The person you think you are getting up for may not want to sit. When my wife was pregnant, she was inundated with offers of seats. She often refused, because on shorter journeys, the effort involved in sitting down and standing up again was greater than that of just standing all the way.
I can't see such things as anything else as trying to use technology to avoid the possibility of embarrassment that comes with dealing with other people.
Of course, you can't argue when they're pregnant. My wife's 8 months pregnant with twins at the moment; I think she's probably at the point of admitting defeat but she's so enormous now people dive off their seats from a mile away anyway.
Not a hope in hell of getting her to pay £4 for this, or of anyone in a seat having the app I'd imagine either.
Why not ask people directly?
If all the polite people had the app installed, using it would let you address them and avoid the 10%.
"Why should I have to give up my seat to someone just because they didn't use birth control?"