I put my money down on the Up Phone (created by the founder of Blackwater Eric Prince) and will be going with that mid year. At the same time I will be ditching AT&T after many years.

It’s not cheap but it’s what I paid for my IPhone and I slowly breaking away from all the ways we are tracked/monitored/targeted. I refuse to use the “smart home” devices like Alexa and I like the privacy features on this phone. Anyone else on the wait list? I know it has been hyped up, but even if it falls short some, it is definitely better than my IPhone for privacy and security.


UP Phone

What is Unplugged?

Unplugged is a Software and Secure Smartphone solution designed to protect you from interception, hacking, viruses, malware, and to keep your data where it belongs, in your hands only.

We offer our users the UP Suite, including the secure UP Messenger, the world-class UP VPN, and Unplugged's proprietary UP Anti-Virus. In addition, we offer a government-grade secure smartphone, the UP Phone, for users who wish to have our highest level of communications and browsing protection.

How can I trust you?

Unplugged has hired independent auditors to conduct periodic penetration tests on our platform's security. We also hired Cye Security ( https://cyesec.com ), one of the leading cybersecurity firms, to provide ongoing advisory services and reviews of our platform. If you're a cyber expert and still have doubts, we invite you to write to us or apply to participate in our White Hat Program, where you'll get a chance to win prizes if you are able to detect any vulnerabilities in our hardware or software. We also give qualified professionals the option to visit us at our R&D offices and perform a white room code review, so that you can see for yourself that we have no back doors.

---

Brand new product/service. We're completely different from all the other guys. Believe the HYPE! Lol.

We have hired "independent" auditors. We pay them to do "independently" audit us. Lol.

What is your solution Q? Is there something better to use?

Blackwater has an interesting history. Is Betsy getting one of these phones? The name Erik Prince does not inspire confidence. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
What is your solution Q? Is there something better to use?

Do we have to have smart phones? No. The old flip phone does fine. But, if we insist on using smart phones, expect to be hacked, tracked, monitored, targeted...sooner or later. Every company out there always claims to have highest security measures. "government-grade secure smartphone", wow!! Super smart hackers, if they puts effort into it, will eventually break into these secured places. What I say might be considered stupid, because I'm nowhere even close to a techie, but that's how I feel about these things.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 12131,

Tablet/eReader in a faraday pouch, unless it’s being used, and one of those Mennonite flip phones?

The price is far lower than I remember at $949. Assuming it delivers many of the same things an iPhone can do that's not bad. However, I had reviewed earlier marketing materials from them and it was full of hype and "buzz words" like Govt Grade Security. There is NO such thing as Govt Grade Security, that's pure marketing BS. Now, if they start nerding out and calling out full specs and NIST certifications or other things like that, then it provides some harder evidence to their claims.

IF, NSA or some other big Govt 3 letter agency wants in, they WILL get in. Now, to keep most others out and prevent Apple or Google from spreading everything you do to the highest bidder, you are probably good to go.

Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Show - Erik Prince
Episode#76 - One of the Most Secure Phones Invented by the Guy Who Developed Pegasus Spyware

Purism Librem 5 or Liberty start just under $1K and $2K respectively. Not endorsing, just providing info.

Checkout Bryce Case Jr. AKA YTCracker - Anonymous Hacker | SRS #85. He's a professional hacker that took down and penetrated a lot of Govt agencies and made national headlines back in the day as a teenager.

Obsidian Intelligence Group - ObeliskOne $3,500. Recommended/used by Bryce Case.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
What is your solution Q? Is there something better to use?

Back in 2014 a company called Silent Circle came out with the Blackphone and Blackphone 2 that pretty much did what this phone is claiming. The phone wasn't a success and they killed the phone. However, they moved to an Android and iOS app to do the same things:

https://www.silentcircle.com/looking-for-blackphone/

“Government-grade” ROFLOL…kinda reminds me of all the commercials you see for military-grade VPN and other products. My favorite is the military-grade sunglasses commercials.

As far as a government-grade secure smartphone, is that what Joe Biden uses and endorses?

So, do they have a Customer Service number you can call 24/7 for assistance on features or issues? Or are they going to direct you to an online "forum" for "assistance" like Microcrap.

So you’re paying extra for an Android with what sounds like a bunch of snake oil promises…

All the security in the world doesn’t matter if it talks to cell towers. IMO

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
All the security in the world doesn’t matter if it talks to cell towers. IMO

A cell phone that doesn’t communicate with the cell towers is a non functional cell phone.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
What is your solution Q? Is there something better to use?

Do we have to have smart phones? No. The old flip phone does fine. But, if we insist on using smart phones, expect to be hacked, tracked, monitored, targeted...sooner or later. Every company out there always claims to have highest security measures. "government-grade secure smartphone", wow!! Super smart hackers, if they puts effort into it, will eventually break into these secured places. What I say might be considered stupid, because I'm nowhere even close to a techie, but that's how I feel about these things.

Exactly. And if I am going to have one I’m going with technology, software and hardware that has been in development and deployment for many years over some start up wet dream.

quote:

Originally posted by jcsabolt2:
However, I had reviewed earlier marketing materials from them and it was full of hype and "buzz words" like Govt Grade Security. There is NO such thing as Govt Grade Security, that's pure marketing BS.

Yup. That's just a content-less buzz phrase to hook the gullible.

quote:

Originally posted by jcsabolt2:
Purism Librem 5 or Liberty start just under $1K and $2K respectively. Not endorsing, just providing info.

Yeah, the Purism phones have an open source OS. There are others.

If I wanted the most secure smart phone possible I'd go with an open source alternative, I imagine.

But maybe not a Purism product. They appear to have a somewhat sketchy history. E.g.: Please don't buy this $2,200 smartphone

I'm curious, mrvmax, from just what threats do you expect to protect yourself with this product?

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
LI know it has been hyped up, but even if it falls short some, it is definitely better than my IPhone for privacy and security.

Umm, no.

There are some things that require a large, dedicated company with a track record and significant financial resources to produce and make, and phones are one of them.

It’s a combination of hardware that HAS to work 24/7, software that has to be absolutely near-perfect, both have to work together seamlessly, and there has to be dedicated support and repair.

Some tiny startup with a sketchy founder is going to replace Apple? I’m not a fan of them at all, but your supposition is fairly flawed to start with. Let them release the phone, have reviews hit the market, and if they are still around in 2-4 years maybe take a peek and see if it’s worth it.

I agree with reloaded-1. Apple has staked its reputation and its market value on privacy promises for its customers. For example: when you ask “Siri” a question, reportedly the transmission is encrypted and not available to Apple. Their e-mail also seems to be encrypted. When I looked into getting Proton Mail instead, I decided the Apple security was adequate.
I am NOT an expert in cybersecurity; I use Signal for texts with friends that we don’t want anyone else to see. But for sure I will not use Whatsapp; and for sure will not use Google mail or Android devices which seem to me to be extremely insecure. I don’t want to use products for which I am the product and not the customer.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
As far as a government-grade secure smartphone, is that what Joe Biden uses and endorses?

I think the President doesn't use wireless phones. I'd think a land-line would be more secure.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
As far as a government-grade secure smartphone, is that what Joe Biden uses and endorses?

I think the President doesn't use wireless phones. I'd think a land-line would be more secure.

You'd think wrong. Anybody with a set of alligator clips can compromise your "land line" (a term that has very little meaning in the digital world of 2024).

Mobile phones (at least in their telephony implementation) are much more "secure" than so-called land lines. It is the computer that is built around them that introduces vulnerabilities, and the person using them that is the least trustworthy element of all.

Any time you use the word "secure" you should have clearly in mind what it means in the particular context you are using the word. What are you trying to protect? What are the consequences of failure? How much are you willing to spend, both in actual $, in the attention you pay, and in restraining your behavior?

I think Maxwell Smart has a phone you can use: