As a Ukrainian who have used similar apps in the past to avoid conscription gangs on the streets of Kiev, I can tell you that legality doesn't really matter much in situations where you are the prey and they play hunters. Especially if the current law (or the practical implementation of the law) supports their actions. It's just fear and one of the practical solutions to avoid being kidnapped on the streets with no due process and no legal way out whatsoever. You just wanna survive.