PrivatOS
 | |
| Developer | Silent Circle |
|---|---|
| Written in | C (core), C++ |
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Closed source |
| Initial release | August 20, 2014 |
| Latest release | 2.0.7 (29 March 2016) / December 1, 2015 |
| Marketing target | Blackphone smartphones |
| Update method | Google Store |
| Package manager | Google Play, APK |
| Platforms | 32- and 64-bit ARM architectures |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (modified Linux kernel) |
| Default user interface | Graphical (Multi-touch) |
| License | Proprietary software except for open-source components |
| Official website |
www |
PrivatOS is an operating system used in the Blackphone, that is targeted at users who seek improved privacy and security. It provides encryption for phone calls, emails, texts, and internet browsing. PrivatOS is a modified version of Android, forked from Android 4.4.2, that comes with a bundle of security-minded tools.[1] However, in contrast to Android, PrivatOS is not open source. The company that ships PrivatOS, SGP Technologies is a joint venture between the makers of GeeksPhone, and Silent Circle.
Background
The concept of an encrypted phone has long been an interest of Silent Circle founder and PGP creator, Phil Zimmerman. In a video on Blackphone's website, Zimmerman said,
I had to wait for the rest of the technology infrastructure to catch up to make it possible to do secure telephony. PGP was kind of a detour for me while waiting for the rest of the technology to catch up to make really good secure telephony possible.[1]
Features
The company states its operating system is able to “close all backdoors” which are usually found on major mobile operating systems. Some major features of PrivatOS are anonymous search, privacy-enabled bundled apps, smart disabling of Wi-Fi except trusted hotspots, more control in app permissions, private communication (calling, texting, video chat, browsing, file sharing and conference calls). Geeksphone also claims the phone will receive frequent secure updates from Blackphone directly.[1]
Reception
Ars Technica praised that the Blackphone's Security Center in PrivatOS gives control over app permissions, liked the bundled Silent Phone and Silent Text services anonymize and encrypt communications so no one can eavesdrop on voice, video, and text calls and Disconnect VPN and Search keeps web trackers away from your phone, anonymize your searches and Internet traffic. Ars did not like that the phone’s performance is mediocre, using a custom OS means no Google Play or any of the other benefits of the Google ecosystem, spotty support for sideloaded apps, and reliance on Amazon or other third-party app stores.[2] After a month of using the device, Joshua Drake from Accuvant concluded that Blackphone's security claims were overstated, criticizing the closed-source nature of the OS and a lack of OS or kernel hardening features, but praising its fast patching and added features.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Brodkin, Jon. "Creator of PGP e-mail encryption making secure Android 'Blackphone'". Ars Technica. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ↑ "A review of the Blackphone, the Android for the paranoid]". Ars Technica. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ↑ "Thoughts after a Month With Blackphone]". Accuvant. Retrieved 31 May 2014.