Silent Circle, Geeksphone team up to launch user privacy-focused ‘Blackphone’ handset

Silent Circle, Geeksphone team up to launch user privacy-focused ‘Blackphone’ handsetSubmitted by Sumit Yayavar on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 11:53 

In a recent press release, Phil Zimmermann - co-founder of secure communications firm Silent Circle - has revealed that Silent Circle has worked out a partnership with Spanish startup Geeksphone to launch a new smartphone which will chiefly focus on protecting the privacy of the users.
The user privacy-centered smartphone being launched by Silent Circle and Geeksphone is called `Blackphone.' The two companies will unveil the smartphone at the Mobile World Congress which is scheduled to be held in Barcelona, Spain, next month.

According to the press release, the Blackphone handset has been designed to run a security-centric version of Google's Android mobile operating system.  That Android version - called PrivatOS - will enable the Blackphone users to make secure phone calls, send secure text messages, and make video calls which will be free from the US National Security Agency (NSA)'s snooping capabilities.
Noting that the Blackphone project is a spin-off of Silent Circle and Geeksphone, Zimmermann said that the Blackphone handset manufactured under the project will boast all the expected features of a high-end smartphone, but with increased privacy and security options.
About the security aspect of the Blackphone handset, Silent Circle CEO Mike Janke said: "We offer completely encrypted, peer-to-peer communications.  We have encrypted video, encrypted text and secure VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) calls."