SGP Technologies, the joint venture between Silent Circle and Geeksphone, has announced that its Blackphone smartphones have started shipping to customers. The privacy-focussed device, which was launched ahead of Mobile World Congress 2014, is based on the Android OS but also offers encrypted calls, encrypted text messaging, enhanced WiFi security, anonymous web browsing, private cloud storage and a remote wipe tool.
Toby Weir-Jones, CEO of SGP Technologies, said “We are excited to achieve this key milestone on schedule and ship a remarkable device to customers that is the result of an unprecedented combination of privacy and mobile innovations and visionaries. Blackphone’s arrival puts mobile privacy directly in the hands of professionals and consumers everywhere. In a world where devices and apps increasingly offer features only in return for users’ personal or sensitive information, the pent-up demand for Blackphone shows there is strong, international demand for our brand’s devices and services that stand apart by placing privacy before all else.”
Initial stock of the phone sold out after the launch announcement but online sales are due to restart from 14th July.