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Blackphone secure Android handset demo: private communication redefined

By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Feb 26, 2014, 8:12 AM

Android

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Running a forked version of Android, called PrivatOS, the Blackphone might be one of the best surprises at this year's MWC edition. Let's put aside the specs first, as these are not what's interesting here - it's still a capable phone, with a 4.7″ IPS display, 2 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory, and an 8 MP rear camera.

The whole point of its existence, however, is to ensure your communication with the world through your smartphone stays private and secure, in a day and age where the NSA goes as far as hooking to underseas cables, in order to snoop for potential threats. The Blackphone doesn't beam your identity and whereabouts, while at the same time protecting your files and personal communication via a set of apps, designed with privacy in mind.

Silent Circle seems to be the star here, as it offers secure peer-to-peer bridges for voice and video, messaging and files, with an end-to-end encryption. It doesn't log anything, and can't be scooped up during NSA's generic data sweeps, for instance. Check out the demo that the folks from the Blackphone project were kind enough to do for us at the MWC expo.

Blackphone demo at MWC 2014

Blackphone Android secure communication handset demo at MWC 2014 PhoneArena

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.