New “ultra-secure” phone service promises unique protection against threats

The carrier, which has worked with the governmental sector, says it can protect against SS7, Sim Swap, and other threats.

The cloud-based mobile carrier Cape has launched a network designed with a strong emphasis on privacy and security.

The company claims that the network offers unparalleled protection against carrier compromise, location stalking, malicious signaling, cell site simulators, and SIM swapping.

“Most privacy solutions – like specialized apps or burner phones – focus primarily on app and device-level threats. Yet, some of the most serious vulnerabilities stem from network-level weaknesses,” says Andy Makridis, former Chief Operations Officer of the CIA in a press release.

Cape operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator running its own mobile core – the software that governs sensitive subscriber data in cellular communications.

For now, the network is tailored for those at high risk of digital attacks, including public figures like elected officials, corporate executives, and journalists. However, the company is likely to offer its services to the broader public later.

Cape’s security features include allowing users to change the unique identifiers associated with their mobile devices, thus preventing location tracking and profiling by malicious actors.

Ad Identifier Rotation reportedly protects data against advertisers and data brokers by disrupting the collection of data about a subscriber's app usage and browsing behavior. The company also provides protection against signaling and SS7 attacks, as well as Sim Swap protection.

Cape, founded by former head of national security at Palantir Technologies John Doyle, has already provided services for the government sector.

For example, it partnered with the US Navy to provide secure connectivity using existing 4G/5G call networks in the US territory of Guam, which has been targeted by the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Volt Typhoon.

According to TechCrunch, in April the company raised $61 million in an aggregation of free rounds from A-Star, a16z, and other investors.