Protect Families Today. Preserve Stories Forever.
IOU, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building free, secure tools that help families — especially veterans, first responders, and those facing serious illness — protect their identities, organize critical information, and preserve what matters most.
Privacy-first. Security-focused. Built to serve the public.
Who We Serve
Our programs are free for the communities that need them most.
Veterans
All branches, all eras — legacy planning tools at no cost.
Active-Duty Military
Deployment-ready tools so families are never left guessing.
First Responders
Law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics — and their families.
Serious Illness
ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, MS — preserve your story while you can.
Our Programs
Four programs, one mission: help families protect what matters most.
Who We Are
IOU, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016. The acronym stands for “Internet of Us” — reflecting our commitment to making the digital world less intimidating and more human.
We build mission-driven tools that help families protect their identities, organize critical information, and preserve what matters most. We focus especially on veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and those facing debilitating conditions — communities that give so much and deserve practical support in return.
Our programs are designed to be private, secure, and free for the people who need them most.
Stay Informed
📑 Policy Lab
Research and recommendations on digital safety policy — from child identity theft to data portability.
🎧 IOUToday Podcast
Conversations about family digital safety, emerging technology, and preparing for the unexpected.
📋 Featured: SafeStart
Our policy proposal to combat child identity theft through a new “M” designator on Social Security Numbers.
Planet of the Apps
First published in 2016, this exploration into the digital world is even more relevant today. We look at how apps, privacy, and technology shape our daily lives
— and why it’s time to put families first.