Encrypted Cell Phone Hits the Market

notshannon writes "Reuters reports about a new cell phone which automatically encrypts communications. Of course, the matching handset will decrypt the message. Security doesn't come cheap, around $4000 per pair, but it's probably as reliable as anyone in these parts could wish. Favorite quote: 'We allow everyone to check the security for themselves, because we're the only ones who publish the source code,' said Rop Gonggrijp at Amsterdam-based NAH6. Amusingly, the article cites government.nl and not nsa.gov as the world's most prolific phone tapper."

Comments

Do what I do...

[Anonymous Coward]

Rather than pay $4K to encrypt your phone calls, do what I do: don't have anything worth saying

Responsibility

[Fux the Penguin]

Wow, $4,000 per pair? That seems awfully high, but I'd imagine there are many legitimate uses of such technology, that may interest people to shell out that much cash. For instance, credit card authorization, police communication, and drug trafficking come to mind. I work for the second-largest supplier of solid-gold cell phones and pagers, which are often used by celebrities and collectively engaged urban businessmen, and I could certainly see where many of our clients would have use for this kind of device.

I am a little concerned, though, that this kind of technology might fall into the wrong hands. For instance, have the manufacturers considered the applications for which terrorists might use these? I hardly think that the NAH6 would like to see their products used to slaughter innocent Americans, or even Amsterdaminians. Encryption is certainly a worthwhile tool, but I think it's far more likely to be exploited by the wicked than the virtuous, as it's the bad guys who've got something to hind.

Perhaps I would be more supportive of NAH6 if they were to provide a backdoor for the NSA, FBI, CBS and the ALF. These organizations, then, could catch evil-doers in the act before they can inflict massive damage to our American way of life. Truly, the only way to secure our liberty is government supervision of the most invasive sort.

can you hear me now?

[Anonymous Coward]

that will become " ? nac uoy reah em won"

nah

[Dreadlord]

real /.ers don't use expensive encryption phones, they do the math themselves, and then encrypt signals by waving a magnet near the phone.

Call for legislature to outlaw these phones

[kavau]

Write to your congressman immediately, demanding that these phones become outlawed worldwide! They might be used by terrorists to plan attacks against Freedom and Civilization! Or, worse than that, they may be used for illegal file trading! A Good Citizen (TM) has nothing to hide, and will have no need for Evil (TM) tools like this.

Oh yes, I'm being sarcastic...

The Microsoft-based XDA handheld computer phone

[burgburgburg]

The Microsoft-based XDA handheld computer phone made by Taiwan's High Tech Computer is selling for 3,499 euros ($4,121) per two handsets.

Well, since Bill IS focusing so strongly on security, I feel comfortable relaying most personal, intimate, potentially volatile information over these phones.

I also wear my Social Security number on a t-shirt, yell out the numbers of my PIN at ATMs and throw my credit cards at little children as if they were candy.

no

[SweetAndSourJesus]

real slashdotters don't have anyone to call in the first place

Re:Available in U.S.?

[Realistic_Dragon]

Are these available in the U.S.? The last time encrypted cell phones made the news there were no plans of selling them in the U.S.

Amazon.com

People who brought these also purchased:
900Mhz GSM network to run them on. $1,000,000.