Kenyan company Ushahidi, a crowdsourcing data platform that allows for the better collection and management of information, has released iOS and Android apps that allow users to make reports even when they lack internet connectivity.

The Ushahidi platform enables organisations to better collect, manage, visualise, and respond to data across various communication channels, including SMS, web form, mobile app, email, and Twitter.

The new apps have support for offline data collection - including videos and photos - and help people quickly complete surveys from their smartphone in any location, with or without an internet connection.

They save data that contributors collect, including detailed GPS location data, and send the report to the appropriate Ushahidi deployment once it can be reached. Ushahidi deployments are comprehensive software tools that allow organisations to build custom surveys, import data from third-party services, share it publicly in a map or timeline, and triage response.

Non-profit organisation Safecity uses Ushahidi to crowdsource personal stories of sexual harassment and abuse in public spaces.

CEO ElsaMarie D'Silva said the release of the new apps would help its reporters across various countries more quickly and accurately submit data.

"The mobile app is easy to use and is a long-awaited addition to the solution. We would definitely use it for our crowdmaps on safety in public spaces. We look forward to further developments from Ushahidi to help organisations like ours to use technology for good in a very economical manner," said D'Silva.

Any of the more than 5,000 existing Ushahidi deployments can be added to the iOS and Android apps, while a further release this spring will extend support to deployments that are installed on third-party servers.