Eccentric Security King John McAfee Made a Private Texting App
Future Tense Secure Systems, founded by software pioneer John McAfee, has released a new private messaging app, CHADDER, designed to let users send private, encrypted messages.
The messages are so private, in fact, that not even the CHADDER platform has access to them. John McAfee said, “CHADDER is a fun and easy to use messaging APP that happens to keep your communications private. So private that we can’t see it ourselves.” When the app receives a message, all they can see from their end is encrypted text, thanks to their use of key server encryption. The only person with the "key" to the encryption is the recipient. It's like you're passing digital notes and CHADDER is simply the middle man (who doesn't peek.)
This could eventually prove problematic, as in some cases, texting records are pulled for criminal investigations. But if neither the user nor the platform can retrieve messages, then its truly a communications free-for-all.
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While the concept of disappearing messages is not new (Snapchat, Wiper, Blink, Cyber Dust), CHADDER aims for complete simplicity and to prove a point. Lexi Sprague, founder of Etransfr, said “The social media industry is built around the consumer also being the product. CHADDER is here to prove that young people want privacy just as much as adults do. The application is simple and straightforward with a lot of power given to the user.” While many young people are spending their days divulging anonymous stories on the Secret App, Whisper and Yik Yak, CHADDER hopes they will realize the need for very, very private messaging.
Currently, the app is available for Android and Windows, with an iOS version coming in the next few weeks. Future Tense worked with Etransfr to release the app during the Imagine RIT festival.
As for how effective it is, well, McAfee does have a history of being on the run from the law. If anyone knows a thing or two about keeping his communications private, it's probably a man who escaped questioning for attempted murder abroad while simultaneously live-blogging about government persecution.
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This article was originally published at http://www.thewire.com/technology/2014/05/eccentric-security-king-john-mcafee-made-a-texting-app/361751/
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