NSA builds own model of Android phone, wants you to do the same

[![][1] ][2]

The [NSA][3] decided it wanted to have its own go at producing a secure [Android][4] smartphone that could encrypt [communications][5] to levels necessary for national security. Project "Fishbowl" constructed 100 handsets from off-the-shelf components that were secure enough that staffers could use them without speaking in code. All conversations are conducted across an IPsec VPN with a secure, real-time transport protocol for encrypting the voice at both ends, with the [VoIP ][6]server being housed inside an NSA facility. It's part of a program to get handset makers to build this kit so the Information Assurance Directorate doesn't have to navigate the interoperability hurdles between each company's tech. The agency has launched a how-to for any manufacturer looking for a large Government contract to produce Fishbowl phones on a larger scale, although they'll probably have to change the name to something more threatening like _MK-Ultraphone _or the _Phoneadelphia Experiment._

[NSA builds own model of Android phone, wants you to do the same][2] originally appeared on [Engadget][7] on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds][8].

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