If privacy is a concern, Silent Circle has the answer for you. The company announced its Enterprise Privacy Platform (EPP) at MWC this year, and has now released the first component: the Blackphone 2, an Android smartphone focusing on privacy and security.
Silent Circle’s EPP is a cloud-based combination of software, services and devices; these connect to existing internet connections to enable businesses to remain private at every level, says the company. For example, although based on Android, the Blackphone 2 runs Silent Circle’s own Silent OS, providing full device encryption.
A built-in security centre enables users to manage their privacy and security settings in a central location. Individual app permissions can be fine-tuned from here, such as data that they can access. Several apps are preloaded, such as Silent Circle’s ‘Silent Phone’ (encrypted voice and video calling and messaging). The phone also features a remote wipe setting, in case it is lost or stolen.
Partitions are enabled through ‘Spaces’, which can be used to build up to four separate, secure environments – each effectively acting as a different phone, with no data shared between them.
Google’s Android for Work programme is supported. Additionally, the Blackphone 2 is certified for use with existing MDM systems, such as MobileIron, Citrix and SOTI.
The Blackphone 2 has a 5.5″ display (1920 x 1080) with Gorilla Glass. It is a 4G model running on an octa-core Qualcomm processor, with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. A microSD slot can accept cards up to 128GB. The 3,060mAh battery supports QuickCharge 2.0 functionality.
Silent Circle is selling the Blackphone 2 now, for $800.
