We propose to restore privacy to messaging by avoiding the public IP networks entirely. Bluetooth 4 makes it possible for smartphones to interface directly, and our apps will take advantage of that by sending encrypted messages through a mesh network of phones.
We're Austrian embedded software developers, based in Vienna, and mostly active in security-critical applications for public safety and radio communications.
It's clear that the public internet should be considered compromised. Your contribution will help us develop open-source apps for Android and iOS to address this.
How It Works
- You meet someone, and exchange encryption keys through the app.
- You create a message on your phone, and specify the recipient. The message content is encrypted locally.
- When another handset running the app is within Bluetooth range, an algorithm determines if passing your encrypted message packet will get it closer to its intended goal. If yes, the encrypted message is transferred, and the process repeats until it has reached its addressee.
What We Need & What You Get
In order to be verifiably secure, the messaging apps need to be open source and will be freely available.
Consequently, we will not earn a cent from app sales, and don't want to annoy you with ads either.
Instead, we ask for your help to fund initial development. Your contribution will help create a technology that goes a long way towards reclaiming privacy.
We'll need about 10k EUR to fund prototype development, finalize the algorithms for determining best paths through the mesh and test the concept.
Hopefully, after that the project will have attracted enough attention and gained enough momentum to continue as an actively maintained open source effort.
Other Ways You Can Help
Spread the word. Share this campaign. If you're a mobile developer and want to get involved, get in touch.