PGP founder, Navy SEALs uncloak encrypted comms biz

Discussion in 'Technical' started by melbo, Jan 16, 2013.


  1. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    PGP founder, Navy SEALs uncloak encrypted comms biz • The Register

    Phil Zimmermann and some of the original PGP team have joined up with former US Navy SEALs to build an encrypted communications platform that should be proof against any surveillance.

    The company, called Silent Circle, will launch later this year, when $20 a month will buy you encrypted email, text messages, phone calls, and videoconferencing in a package that looks to be strong enough to have the NSA seriously worried. Zimmermann says that surveillance by the state and others has increased vastly over the last few years, and privacy improvement are again needed.

    "At the very least I want people, as part of their right in a free society to be able to communicate securely," he said in a promotional video (below). "I should be able to whisper in your ear, even if your ear is a thousand miles away."

    The Silent Circle package comes with downloadable applications for smartphones and computers that allows secure communication with other users. A member of the team told El Reg that the encryption architecture was "very, very good," with some of the code coming as a result of seven years of research by team members.

    Zimmerman has brought in former partner Jon Callas as cofounder (although Callas remains CTO of Entrust), along with a number of other engineering staff from PGP. Zimmermann was recently one of the original inductees into the Internet Society's hall of fame for his work in bringing encryption to the masses through PGP.

    The other two cofounders are former members of the US Navy's Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) unit: Vic Hyder and Mike Janke. Both run physical security businesses, and Janke is a privacy advocate and the author of the motivational book "Take Control". Janke also reportedly has had 312 stitches, 17 broken bones, two blown-out knees and a crocodile bite scar.

    Silent Circle | Global Encrypted Communications Service

    Silent Circle
     
    hank2222, HK_User, UGRev and 2 others like this.
  2. UGRev

    UGRev Get on with it!

  3. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Well if the dude has a crocodile bite scar, I am certainly sold.
     
    melbo and Harbin like this.
  4. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    I have ALWAYS been a fan of Phil's work....
     
  5. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    lol @Brokor
    I'm not sure about the Seal angle but PZ is the real deal when it comes to encryption.
    I'm going to test
     
    BTPost likes this.
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