Checkr (YC S14) raises $9M to provide an API for background checks

Congrats to Daniel and the team!

They check against terrorist watch lists - which many people are on for secret reasons (that have not resulted in their being charged with crimes) with no process for dispute or appeal.

Hard to believe they aren't scum.

Given that there is already a completely free API for background checks provided by the federal government... wait, is it because that API is convoluted and patently insane? So is sanity their real product?

Also, the way the federal background check system works, requests have to come from originating agencies that are set up to interface with the federal system. Is Checkr going to interface directly, or are they going to do what most companies do and go through a state agency? If going through a state agency - which one? The fee that states charges varies RADICALLY... in some states, you pay basically what the federal govt charges ($14.25). In others, they charge upwards of $300 per transaction to just submit your data and relay the answer.

Also, there is a new service called 'Rap Back' which enables someone who runs a background check to sort of subscribe to a persons background... so if new items arise, like new arrests or the like, they can be notified. Will Checkr support that?

I don't really understand the link to 'on-demand economy'... at least at the federal level, a background check will tell you nothing except whether the person has been convicted of a 'serious crime' (the definition of serious crime varies widely from state to state... in Oregon almost all traffic violations are 'serious', while in other states nothing short of murder qualifies). You don't get to know when or what crime or anything like that, just "yes" or "no". Do you really want to avoid anyone who might have had a domestic violence issue in 1972 or a speeding ticket in Oregon 20 years ago?

I'm glad the article touched on how useful this is for traditional businesses as well.

"If they add credit history and Landlord-Tenant court, there is a big market in the real estate rental business."

Also a lot of regulation due to FCRA (which I'm personally glad for, considering the consequences of incorrect reporting).