Snowden co-designs a surveillance-proof phone case - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Infamous whistleblower Edward Snowden has co-designed a smartphone case that can help people elude surveillance. [...] The case is called "the introspection engine," and it would alert the user whenever the smartphone's radio signals are being sent, something that can happen even if your phone is on 'airplane mode.'"

Comment: Missionaries and human rights workers operating in repressive countries might want to look into this tech when it becomes available. 

Consumer Tech Encryption

Facebook tests end-to-end encryption on Messenger | Reuters
Reuters reports: "Facebook Inc (FB.O) on Friday said it began testing end-to-end encryption on its popular Messenger application to prevent snooping on digital conversations. The limited testing on Messenger, which has more than 900 million users, comes three months after Facebook rolled out end-to-end encryption to its more popular WhatsApp, a messaging application with over 1 billion users that it acquired in October 2014. The move comes amid widespread global debate over the extent to which technology companies should help law enforcement snoop on digital communications."

Comment: Missionaries working in repressive countries, take note.

My Way News - Here we go again: Paris attacks may renew encryption debate
My Way News reports: "The deadly attacks in Paris may soon reopen the debate over whether — and how — tech companies should let governments bypass the data scrambling that shields everyday commerce and daily digital life. So far, there's no hard evidence that the Paris extremists relied on encrypted communications — essentially, encoded digital messages that can't be read without the proper digital 'keys' — to plan the shooting and bombing attacks that left 129 dead on Friday."

Comment: Christian missionaries operating in repressive countries should carefully note the new class of apps (Telegraph, WhatsApp, iMessage,) and programs (Virtru) which maximize privacy and counter surveillance. 

My Way News - China web freedom group faces online disruption
My Way News reports: "A U.S.-subsidized advocacy group that helps Internet users inside China bypass blockages on censored content says it is suffering a mysterious denial-of-service attack disrupting its operations."

My Way News - FireChat ignites new way to communicate on phones
My Way News reports: "In just two weeks since its release on the iPhone, FireChat already has provided a flicker of hope for people pining for more effective, secure and affordable ways to communicate. [...] It could also enable online communications in remote areas or disaster zones without Wi-Fi or cellular signals. Furthermore, the conversations in these so-called 'off-the-grid' networks can't be easily hacked into by spies and mischief makers or shut down by governments trying to stifle free speech."

My Way News - Ideas for keeping your data safe from spying
My Way News reports: "Experts say there are steps anyone can take to improve privacy, but they only go so far. Using anonymity services and encryption 'simply make it harder, but not impossible,' said Ashkan Soltani, an independent privacy and security researcher. 'Someone can always find you _- just depends on how motivated they are.' With that caveat, here are some basic tips to enhance your privacy..."

NYT - Security Pioneer Creates Service to Encrypt Phone Calls and Text Messages
The New York Times reports: "At a security conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mr. Zimmermann introduced the service, which is available for Android and iPhone. Silent Circle lets users make encrypted phone calls, send text messages and do  videoconferencing. Messages are scrubbed completely from the phone after a predetermined amount of time. Communications are secured using a new, peer-reviewed open-source encryption technology."

Comment: Those of you serving as missionaries in repressive countries might benefit from this service, it might protect you and those you minister to.