Ride the Lightning

Here Comes the Blackphone: Putting Security in the User's Hands

January 16, 2014

I love it when my predictions come true (as would anyone who ends up eating large slices of crow pie when predictions don't come true!) Just yesterday, I predicted that we would see more devices and software meant specifically to foil the prying eyes of the NSA (and others).

ZDNet published a story about the new Blackphone, an Android-powered smartphone which will launch at the Mobile Word Congress in February. The price is unknown as yet, but the promise is to put privacy in the hands of the users.

This week, Silent Circle and Geeksphone announced the formation of a Switzerland-based joint venture and its first product, the Blackphone. It is touted as a carrier (only GSM networks) and vendor-independent smartphone which allows consumers and businesses to make and receive secure phone calls, exchange secure texts, transfer and store files, and video chat without compromising privacy on the device.

It is the brainchild of a number of technology specialists – I was particularly pleased to see that Phil Zimmermann, the creator of PGP, is involved. He is one maverick and stubborn SOB who regards the current widespread government surveillance with obvious distaste. He is certainly among my list of "Ten People I'd Really Like to Have Over for Dinner." I'll keep that on the Bucket List.

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