Samaritans has said that it has sought further legal advice about its Samaritans Radar Twitter app and is satisfied that it complies with data protection legislation, but that it will take on board any advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The app, which monitors the Twitter feeds of people who have signed up and highlights tweets from people they follow that could indicated someone is struggling emotionally, was launched last week and prompted a backlash on Twitter from users arguing that it was an invasion of privacy.

An online petition calling for its withdrawal has attracted just over 1,000 signatures, while Samaritans says it has had more than 3,000 people sign up to the service.

In a fourth statement defending the app Joe Ferns, executive director of policy, research and development, said:

“We have taken the time to seek further legal advice on the issues raised. Our continuing view is that Samaritans Radar is compliant with the relevant data protection legislation for the following reasons:

• We believe that Samaritans is neither the data controller or data processor of the information passing through the app
• All information identified by the app is available on Twitter, in accordance with Twitter’s Ts&Cs. The app does not process private tweets.
• If Samaritans were deemed to be a data controller, given that vital interests are at stake, exemptions from data protection law are likely to apply.”

In response to the suggestions that the app could be used by cyberbullies he said: “We condemn any behaviour which would constitute bullying or harassment of anyone using social media.

"If people experience this kind of behaviour as a result of the app or their support for the app, we would encourage them to report this immediately to Twitter, who take this issue very seriously.”