AirChat promo (via github and screencap)
Autonomous recently announced that it is working on creating a secure communication system, based on radio technology. The project is titled AirChat and while it surely does not provide the most expedient data transference, it does provide a secure platform to communicate without the need for internet or cellular technology.
The project is based on Fldigi, an open source, ham-radio modem controller. It was devised to enable anonymous communication without the need for user licensing. It is also ideal for developing countries that may need to communicate, but do not have access to cellular phones or internet.
To set up AirChat, users need a laptop powered by Windows, Mac OS X or Linux, a handheld radio transceiver and a few pieces of software to pull it all together. Users must also solder the unit together, as it relies on VOX for ease-of-use.
While the technology is fairly rudimentary at this stage, it can successfully transmit photos, search for information on the internet, support computer games and low bandwidth, digital voice conversations. The technology seems to have two very desirable functions: providing a platform for emergency communication and making it nearly impossible to spy on its users.
For one thing, in the event of an emergency in which the internet and cellular communication network is down, emergency responders can turn to AirChat for reliable communication, as there is virtually no town in the world that does not at the very least support a basic AM/FM radio frequency.
With this, AirChat can be accessed anywhere in the world with a radio frequency, including countries in which the government monitors or controls access to information via the internet. The new platform can give these citizens more freedom of speech and data access, at a lower bandwidth and fairly low cost. In a trial, AirChat was able to retrieve data from Twitter, using the keyword “Ukraine.”
This technology would be the first free communication system developed by Anonymous. It announced its initiative in the hopes of getting other technology giants behind the operation, to open communication and provide free data and information access to everyone.
The project is still under development and probably will be for some time. Anyone skilled in the art of DIY projects based on radio technology, however, can visit the Anonymous site for information on how to tap into the AirChat network pronto.
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