Advoteck: Designing a Typesafe Mobile Keyboard for Vulnerable Users

Project Overview

Advoteck approached us with a bold goal: design a mobile experience that quietly protects vulnerable users from digital harm—without eroding their independence. As Lead Product Designer, I was responsible for translating an emotionally charged mission into a clear, accessible, and technically feasible solution from the ground up.

The solution: a typesafe keyboard that detects when a user types something sensitive (like a Social Security number, address, or credit card), then notifies a caregiver while also offering real-time, educational suggestions to the user.

As the sole designer, I led the product design from research through launch, ensuring the product was safe, accessible, and empathetic.

The Problem

Vulnerable users—those with cognitive disabilities, aging-related tech challenges, or adolescent impulsivity—are especially prone to digital exploitation. From phishing attempts to accidental data sharing, they face online threats with few tools designed specifically for their needs.

Caregivers, on the other hand, often find themselves reactive rather than proactive—learning about breaches only after damage has occurred.

There were no real-time systems in place to:

• Detect sensitive data as it’s being typed

• Alert a caregiver before harm occurs

• Educate users gently instead of restricting them

How I Got Involved

Advoteck found us through my tech partner at Tuck Software Group, who was offering fractional CTO services. The client had early designs and thought they were development-ready — but our team knew better.

Their urgency stemmed from a real event: one of the founders had a special needs sister who had fallen victim to online scams. This wasn’t just a project — it was personal.

Understanding the Users

We had two main personas:

1. Vulnerable Users

• Included special needs individuals, tech-novice seniors, and teens

• Primarily used social media where they were most at risk

• Desired freedom and normalcy, but lacked the digital literacy to spot scams

2. Caregivers

• Often overwhelmed, juggling many responsibilities

• Needed a low-maintenance, trustworthy tool to help protect loved ones

• Wanted visibility, not control — support, not surveillance

  
  

Research Process & Key Insights

I began with semi-structured interviews (via Zoom and in-person) with:

• Caregivers

• Tech-aware seniors

• Digital safety advocates

I followed with moderated usability testing of early wireframes and quick surveys for impressions on clarity and usefulness.

Major Insights:

• Trust was paramount: Caregivers needed to trust the product and its creators.

• Cognitive load matters: Too many toggles or unclear icons caused stress and hesitation.

• Feedback preferences vary: Some users wanted detailed alerts, others preferred minimal interruptions.

These insights shaped every layer of the product — from microcopy to visual structure to notification logic.

High-Level Process

1. Clarified the Problem with Journey Mapping

Mapped parallel journeys for:

• The vulnerable user typing sensitive info

• The caregiver monitoring alerts

This exposed moments of friction, trust gaps, and emotional decisions.

2. Defined the System Architecture

Established four core components:

• A typesafe keyboard

• A caregiver management app

• Real-time alerts

• Transparent onboarding

  
  

3. Designed the Keyboard to Be Subtle Yet Protective

• Gentle inline nudges for flagged content

• Passive monitoring with adjustable sensitivity

• Educational messaging instead of hard blocking

  
  

4. Built the Caregiver Dashboard for Confidence, Not Control

• Setup for “secrets” like SSNs or card numbers

• Real-time notification system

• Sensitivity settings for each user

  
  

5. Mapped an Alert & Escalation System

Different severities trigger different actions:

• Logged silently

• Alert caregiver

• Trigger intervention

Designed fallbacks for false positives and user error.

6. Created a Trust-Centered Onboarding Flow

• Explained what the keyboard does and doesn’t do

• Clarified privacy and user control

• Used warm, plain language and “Why we ask this” tooltips

  
  

7. Prioritized Accessibility Early

• Tested for cognitive load during risky input events

• Used high-contrast color modes and dyslexia-friendly fonts

• Designed for fat thumbs, shaky hands, and emotional stress

  
  

8. Applied a Calm, Trustworthy Visual Style

• Neutral palette (think soft blues/greys)

• Rounded elements and soft shadows

• Clean typography and gentle animations

We weren’t designing a warning system — we were designing a quiet guide.

Outcomes & Impact

Advoteck launched successfully on iOS and Android, with a thoughtful mix of protection and empowerment. Caregivers got peace of mind. Vulnerable users got a second layer of defense — without feeling patronized or controlled.

The product didn't just aim to block bad behavior — it aimed to teach users how to protect themselves.

What I Learned

• That “simple” is often harder than “clever”

• That trust and tone matter as much as features

• That every design decision for vulnerable users has real emotional consequences

This project was as much about empathy as it was about interaction — and that’s exactly why it mattered.