Edward Snowden Creates Smartphone App Aimed At Thwarting Spies

Now this is priceless...a guy charged with two counts of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and theft of government property, working "to turn Android phones into all-in-one anti-spy systems." Guy still has to make a living, amirite?

"Imagine if you had a guard dog you could take with you to any hotel room and leave it in your room when you're not there," Snowden told Wired in an interview published Friday. "And it's actually smart, and it witnesses everything that happens and creates a record of it."

The idea is simple: You install the app on a cheap "burner" phone — one that can be thrown away — and then set up the phone in a place you want to monitor.

You can program it to start recording or taking photos if someone enters your room. Those recordings can then be sent securely to your personal phone, perhaps through an encrypted-communication tool like Signal.

"We designed Haven as a tool for investigative journalists, human-rights defenders, and people at risk," Snowden says in a video introducing the app.

www.businessinsider.com... Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

I think he forgot to mention the people who will use this tool for "revenge porn," or the people who want to "frame" their adversaries and capture the proof on video.

originally posted by: shawmanfromny


I think he forgot to mention the people who will use this tool for "revenge porn," or the people who want to "frame" their adversaries and capture the proof on video.

sounds like you already have plans for this app...

i think its a really good tool, considering the climate we live in, and the shady practices of governments, specifically the United States government.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Good idea, except thieves will steal the phone. Disguising it as an alarm clock might help.

a reply to: odzeandennz

You're so funny No...I agree, it can be a very useful tool, but I'm thinking this app will also be used by people with bad intentions.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Pressure cookers and airplanes are also used by people with bad intentions. What's your point?

Add sound. Voila.

Something to up the ante while you watch.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

So... you set up a phone that spies on your room? Wouldn't that mean that spy agencies could hack your phone and use it to spy on you? Idiotic.

originally posted by: DJW001
a reply to: shawmanfromny

So... you set up a phone that spies on your room? Wouldn't that mean that spy agencies could hack your phone and use it to spy on you? Idiotic.

That changes nothing. They've been able to do that since smartphones came out. There's an excellent but inaccurate depiction of it at the end of The Dark Knight.

a reply to: watchitburn

Uhhhh...well maybe my point is, here's another device that can be used with bad intentions. Got another brilliant comment for me pal?

originally posted by: shawmanfromny
a reply to: watchitburn

Uhhhh...well maybe my point is, here's another device that can be used with bad intentions. Got another brilliant comment for me pal?

Something that could have been done anyways with any number of available spy cams or security system available in the market years ago.

This is nothing new. I had a program two years ago that did exactly what is described here.

Sounds good. You'd think such an app would already be common.



a reply to: ADSE255

Such a brilliant scene. They actually wrote and shot that authentic looking fake B&W movie all for it.

originally posted by: shawmanfromny
Now this is priceless...a guy charged with two counts of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and theft of government property, working "to turn Android phones into all-in-one anti-spy systems." Guy still has to make a living, amirite?

"Imagine if you had a guard dog you could take with you to any hotel room and leave it in your room when you're not there," Snowden told Wired in an interview published Friday. "And it's actually smart, and it witnesses everything that happens and creates a record of it."

The idea is simple: You install the app on a cheap "burner" phone — one that can be thrown away — and then set up the phone in a place you want to monitor.

You can program it to start recording or taking photos if someone enters your room. Those recordings can then be sent securely to your personal phone, perhaps through an encrypted-communication tool like Signal.

"We designed Haven as a tool for investigative journalists, human-rights defenders, and people at risk," Snowden says in a video introducing the app.

www.businessinsider.com... Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

I think he forgot to mention the people who will use this tool for "revenge porn," or the people who want to "frame" their adversaries and capture the proof on video.

Yeah I remember I was just as furious when they went and invented alarm systems bulletproof vests, anti-burglary window bars, and bicycle helmets. And basically every invention.

I was like, yeah, this might keep millions safer, but they forgot to mention the one guy who puts on a bike helmet and goes around headbutting people. Yeah, wonderful idea to invent a near indestructible covering for the head...morons!

And they conveniently left out the story of the BANK ROBBERS who wore bulletproof vests to their heist! Ever see the movie Heat?! Yeah, awesome invention... Freakin geniuses couldn't figure out what a bad idea that was...

Dont even get me started on pencils. Yeah, lets take a stick, sharpen it into a spear, insert poisonous lead in the center, and go around to all the schools, handing them out to all the Children... Babies for God's sake!

Thanks, bro, I'll be sure to spread this thread far and wide, giving you full credit for identifying the technological threat which hides like wolf in sheep's clothing every time some human goes and invents something. I'll put your picture up right next to Ted "the Unabomber" Kaczynski, bc you remind me of him so much

don't need it, that's what my microwave is for

originally posted by: njord
don't need it, that's what my microwave is for

So your microwave can be programmed to start taking photos as soon as someone enters the room? I didn't know any microwaves had that feature.

Snowden is fighting the surveillance state by increasing it?

Nerd didn't think that one through.

Or did he?

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
Sounds good. You'd think such an app would already be common.



a reply to: ADSE255

Such a brilliant scene. They actually wrote and shot that authentic looking fake B&W movie all for it.

I don't think many people caught that they did that. Great scene I agree.