Boeing Black can self-destruct when stolen or tampered with

Sep 27, 2015 10:47 GMT  ·  By

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to enter a 2.5-year partnership with Boeing during which they'll test the company's Black phone, said to possess a chip that self-destructs when stolen or tampered with.

At the end of 2014, we were reporting on a joint venture between Boeing and BlackBerry to bring the Boeing Black smartphone to the market.

Boeing Black, the real-life spy phone

The phone is highly touted in industry circles as one of the most secure phones on the market, if not the most secure one, thanks to a series of smart, security-focused technologies like Disk Encryption (Encrypted storage for sensitive data), Hardware Root to Trust (Ensure software authenticity), Secure Boot (Maintains device image integrity), and Hardware Modularity (Endless modularity capabilities).

Boeing has also been bragging for a long time about the phone's self-destructing chip which is able to detect when the device is not in the possession of its true owner, thanks to a series of complex algorithms.

These algorithms employ a combination of GPS position tracking, biometrics sensors, and gait recognition, and can tell the chip to wipe the phone clear if it detects anything wrong.

The first government contract for Boeing Black

All these features make for the perfect spy phone, which is the reason why the DHS has decided to enter this 2.5-year agreement with Boeing and HRL Laboratories, a software company co-owned by GM and Boeing.

The agreement includes a 2-year research phase, and if this goes well, a 6-month pilot program co-funded by both the DHS and Boeing.

Rumors have it that some DHS staffers have started using the phones already, but Boeing is also scheduled to run a series of workshops to train state officials on how to properly utilize the device's enhanced security measures.

In an email to Nextgov, a Boeing spokesperson said, "Boeing has developed a secure, mobile solution that is designed to meet the needs of defense and security customers. Due to customer sensitivities, we cannot disclose who is currently using the device or considering a purchase."

Boeing Black, a.k.a. the spy-phone
Boeing Black, a.k.a. the spy-phone

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Boeing Black to be tested by DHS
Boeing Black, a.k.a. the spy-phone
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