(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)
Want to protect your phone calls and data from the feds, hackers, and other snoops? FreedomPop's new Privacy Phone promises to do just that.
Nicknamed the "Snowden phone" after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, the phone is actually a Samsung Galaxy S2 that FreedomPop rejiggered into a call and data encrypting device. Equipped with 128-bit encryption, the phone aims to secure your voice calls and text messages. A built-in VPN (virtual private network) helps you surf the Web anonymously.
Selling now for $189, the Privacy Phone comes with unlimited voice and texting. FreedomPop throws in 50MB of monthly data access for the first three months and then charges $10 a month after that. Users can pay for the phone anonymously via Bitcoin and request a new phone number as often as they want.
The retooled Galaxy S3 comes with a 1.2 GHz Samsung Exynos C210 processor, a 4.3-inch screen, 16GB of internal storage, and an 8-megapixel camera.
"In light of recent violations in consumer's privacy across social networks and mobile devices, privacy is becoming increasingly important to many Americans and we all have a right to communicate anonymously," FreedomPop Chief Operating Officer Steven Sesar said in a statement. "Large carriers don't have the flexibility, desire, or creativity to invest in privacy. We don't agree with this approach and felt it was up to us to create a truly private mobile phone service at an affordable price."
Those of you interested in the phone can check the FreedomPop Web site to see if coverage is available in your area.
No comments:
Post a Comment