FreedomPop on Wednesday unveiled the Privacy Phone, also known as the “Snowden Phone,” or essentially a Galaxy S2 model that has advanced privacy-guarding features, while being budget-friendly at the same time. The Privacy Phone costs $189 and for that price buyers will get unlimited text and voice as well as 500MB of free data for three months. Then, the privacy features and wireless plan will cost $10 per month.
When it comes to software features, the Privacy Phone will offer 128-bit encryption for voice and text messages and a secure VPN for encrypting data. The privacy application will run in the background and can be terminated by the user. The phone will have custom FreedomPop dialer and text apps, and will offer anonymous browsing features.
Because FreedomPop is an MVNO carrier that essentially uses data from Sprint, it means that calls on FreedomPop network can be masked from spy agencies interesting in accessing such information, something regular mobile operators can’t avoid.
FreedomPop goes one step further in safeguarding the user’s privacy with the new Privacy Phone, by allowing customers to change their numbers anytime they want. Furthermore, for added anonymity, the carrier also offers users a Bitcoin payment feature.
Privacy Phone is not the only new Android handset that takes privacy very seriously, especially in light of recent events, with Blackphone and Boeing’s Black phone being two similar handsets, although only the former is available to interested buyers.
The full Phone Privacy’s features and the full press release follow below:
- Encrypts communication for voice calls and text messages
- Uses 128-bit encryption, the same proven encryption trusted by banks and government agencies
- Enables anonymous internet browsing wherever you go
- Prevents online marketers from tracking your web activity
- Defends against data monitoring and eavesdropping from 3rd parties
- Bypasses any website restrictions and connect to any site online
- Protects your phone from viruses and other malware
- Protects privacy by temporarily making your contacts and all related call history and SMS correspondence confidential
- Protects information from unathorized use if the device is lost or stolen as well as helps you to locate the device
- Blocks unsolicited incoming calls and text messages
- Blocks malicious websites ad fake (phishing) websites, which aim to steal your confidential data including passwords
FREEDOMPOP FIGHTS FOR AMERICAN’S RIGHTS WITH NEW PRIVACY PHONE PROVIDING FULL ONLINE AND DIGITAL PRIVACY
New FreedomPop Privacy Phone comes with built in VPN, anonymous voice and payment by Bitcoin
LOS ANGELES, CA – March 5, 2014 – FreedomPop, America’s fastest growing mobile service company, today announced its new FreedomPop Privacy Phone – the only smartphone and mobile service that enables encrypted communications. The company launched the phone to specifically protect Americans’ privacy, thereby providing the peace and assurance knowing your data is not being compromised. The phone, nicknamed the “Snowden Phone,” is a response to the growing frustrations and concerns around privacy infringement, call monitoring and Internet tracking.
“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,” said Steven Sesar, COO at FreedomPop. “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.”
The Privacy Phone leverages FreedomPop’s VoIP network, and enables encrypted communication for voice calls and text messages. The phone also uses128-bit encryption – the same proven encryption trusted by banks and government agencies. In addition, all application and Internet data will be sent through a secure encrypted virtual private network (VPN) for anonymous Internet browsing while protecting from viruses, phishing websites and other malware. Users can also request a number change at any time as many times as they want.
The Privacy Phone costs $189 and is built on top of the Samsung Galaxy II Android smartphone and comes with unlimited voice and text, plus 500 MBs of data for three months then costs $10 a month after that. Payment can be made via Bitcoin to further ensure anonymity.
For more information on the FreedomPop Privacy Phone and to sign up for service now, go to http://www.FreedomPop.com/protectprivacy
About FreedomPop
FreedomPop provides disruptive mobile services so that no one is left off the “connected grid.” Launched in 2012, FreedomPop is rewriting the rules of the American telecoms industry and is backed by Mangrove Capital, DCM and Skype Founder Niklas Zennstom’s Atomico. The company offers consumers access to free high-speed Internet and mobile phone services nationwide.
FreedomPop is on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/FreedomPop and Twitter http:twitter.com/freedompop4G.
