Close Menu
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI
  • Apps
  • Crypto
  • Security
  • Startups
  • TechCrunch
  • Venture

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

What's Hot

Sequoia bets on silence | TechCrunch

July 12, 2025

Can “ethical” spyware makers justify offering their technology to ice?

July 11, 2025

Sarah Smith launches a $16 million fund and says AI can “unlock” for solo GPS like herself

July 11, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI

    OpenAI seeks to extend human lifespans with the help of longevity startups

    January 17, 2025

    Farewell to the $200 million woolly mammoth and TikTok

    January 17, 2025

    Nord Security founder launches Nexos.ai to help enterprises move AI projects from pilot to production

    January 17, 2025

    Data proves it remains difficult for startups to raise capital, even though VCs invested $75 billion in the fourth quarter

    January 16, 2025

    Apple suspends AI notification summaries for news after generating false alerts

    January 16, 2025
  • Apps

    Belkin will no longer support most WEMO devices and their WEMO apps

    July 10, 2025

    Mockly has actually created a fake DM generator that is user-friendly

    July 10, 2025

    YouTube removes its trending pages and now trend list

    July 10, 2025

    As X loses CEO, daily use is decreasing and competition is growing

    July 10, 2025

    Google adds inter-image generation capabilities to VEO 3

    July 10, 2025
  • Crypto

    Bitcoin surpasses $118K at the second highest high in 24 hours

    July 11, 2025

    Vitalik Buterin reserves for Sam Altman's global project

    June 28, 2025

    Calci will close a $185 million round as rival Polymeruk reportedly seeks $200 million

    June 25, 2025

    Stablecoin Evangelist: Katie Haun's Battle of Digital Dollars

    June 22, 2025

    Hackers steal and destroy millions of Iran's biggest crypto exchanges

    June 18, 2025
  • Security

    Can “ethical” spyware makers justify offering their technology to ice?

    July 11, 2025

    CISA confirms that hackers are actively taking advantage of the critical “Citrix Bleed 2” bug

    July 11, 2025

    AI chatbot's simple “123456” password was at risk of revealing personal data from millions of McDonald's job seekers

    July 11, 2025

    French police arrest Russian basketball player accused of ransomware: Report

    July 10, 2025

    Authorities arrest four hackers related to UK retail hacking

    July 10, 2025
  • Startups

    7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

    March 24, 2025

    AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

    March 24, 2025

    20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

    March 22, 2025

    Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

    March 21, 2025

    Startup Weekly: Wiz bets paid off at M&A Rich Week

    March 21, 2025
  • TechCrunch

    OpenSea takes a long-term view with a focus on UX despite NFT sales remaining low

    February 8, 2024

    AI will save software companies' growth dreams

    February 8, 2024

    B2B and B2C are not about who buys, but how you sell

    February 5, 2024

    It's time for venture capital to break away from fast fashion

    February 3, 2024

    a16z's Chris Dixon believes it's time to focus on blockchain use cases rather than speculation

    February 2, 2024
  • Venture

    Sequoia bets on silence | TechCrunch

    July 12, 2025

    Sarah Smith launches a $16 million fund and says AI can “unlock” for solo GPS like herself

    July 11, 2025

    Medium CEO explains what it takes to stop losing $2.6 million a month

    July 11, 2025

    All stages in Boston and 4 days until lowest ticket prices disappear

    July 11, 2025

    Learn how to raise seed rounds from top VCS in 2025

    July 10, 2025
TechBrunchTechBrunch

Cape dials up $61 million from a16z and others for mobile services that don't use personal data

TechBrunchBy TechBrunchApril 18, 20245 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Telegram Email


AT&T's recent mega-customer data breach (74 million accounts affected) reveals how much influence data carriers have on their users and that their data exists because of hacks I made it. On Thursday, he announced $61 million in funding to help a Washington, D.C.-based startup called Cape, founded by former Palantir executives, build what it claims will be a safer approach. Giving away your name, address, social security number, or location because they never asked for it in the first place.

According to the company's website, “You can't leak or sell what you don't have.” “We ask for minimal personal information and store sensitive credentials locally on your device, not on the network. It's privacy by design.”

The funding is notable in part because Cape's appeal to users has yet to be proven. The company only came out of stealth four months ago and has yet to launch a commercial service for consumers. CEO and founder John Doyle said in an interview that it is scheduled for June. The company is operating one pilot project, deploying some of its technology jointly with the U.S. government to secure communications in Guam.

The $61 million the company announced Thursday is the sum of three rounds: a seed round, a $21 million Series A (raised when the company was still in stealth mode as a private tech company), and a $40 million Series B. The latest round is co-led by A-Star and a16z, with participation from XYZ Ventures, ex/ante, Costanoa Ventures, Point72 Ventures, Forward Deployed VC, and Karman Ventures. Cape did not disclose its valuation.

Mr. Doyle attracted the attention of investors in part because of his previous role, including nearly nine years as director of national security operations at Palantir. Prior to that, he was a Special Forces Sergeant in the United States Army.

These jobs exposed him to users (such as government agencies) that treat the security of personal information and privacy regarding data use as essential. But he also started thinking more entrepreneurially and about consumers.

Today, data privacy and security have become a major focus in the public consciousness, which usually leads to a lot of bad news about data breaches, social network intrusion activities, and many questions regarding national security and digital networks. This is because you will be asked. There is a clear opportunity to build tools like this for the general public, even if it feels like it may not be possible now.

“In fact, that's one of the reasons I started the company,” he told TechCrunch. “It feels like the problem is too big, right? Our data is already out there in so many ways, and it feels like we can’t do anything about it. We all need the ability to connect. They have some kind of private control over their own data, but that's not necessarily true.”

Cape's initial efforts will focus on offering eSIMs to users, which Doyle said will primarily be sold in a prepaid format to avoid data associated with contracts. Cape also announced a partnership with US Cellular on Thursday. The company itself offers MNVO, which covers 12 cellular networks. Doyle said Cape is also in talks with other carriers. Initially, Doyle said it is unlikely he would bundle his eSIM with a mobile device, but that is not a possibility in the future. The company also won't offer encryption services for apps, voice calls, or mobile data, at least initially.

“We are not focused on the security of the content of our communications. There are many app-based solutions out there, apps like Proton Mail and Signal, WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging platforms. “It works well to varying degrees, depending on who you trust to secure your communications,” he said. “We are focused on our customers' location and personal information data, particularly as it relates to connectivity to commercial mobile phone infrastructure, which are related but separate issues. ”

Cape isn't the only company on the market trying to address privacy in the mobile space (and in the past tense), but so far none of them have had any notable success. In Europe, recent efforts include MVNO Murena, OS maker Jolla, and hardware company Punkt. Some that have come and gone include the Privacy Phone (FreedomPop) and the Blackphone (made by Geeksphone and Silent Circle).

The option to buy prepaid SIMs anonymously already exists in the U.S., but Cape points out that this has another trade-off and is not as secure as what Cape is building. Although this payment may be anonymous, the user's data is still routed through the underlying carrier's network infrastructure, making the user's movements and usage observable. You may also still be vulnerable to SIM swap attacks and spam.

For a16z, the investment is part of the company's “American Dynamism” initiative, which this week raised $600 million from its latest round of $7.2 billion in VC funding.

“Cape's technology is the answer to critical vulnerabilities that have long existed in today's communications infrastructure, impacting everything from homeland security to consumer privacy,” said Katherine Boyle, general partner at a16z, in a statement. ''. “This team is applying its superior research and development capabilities to rethink traditional communications networks for the first time, and is well-positioned to reimagine the way mobile carriers think of subscribers as customers, rather than products. .”



Source link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Can “ethical” spyware makers justify offering their technology to ice?

July 11, 2025

CISA confirms that hackers are actively taking advantage of the critical “Citrix Bleed 2” bug

July 11, 2025

AI chatbot's simple “123456” password was at risk of revealing personal data from millions of McDonald's job seekers

July 11, 2025

French police arrest Russian basketball player accused of ransomware: Report

July 10, 2025

Authorities arrest four hackers related to UK retail hacking

July 10, 2025

Jack Dorsey says his “safe” new bitchat app hasn't been tested for security

July 9, 2025

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Reviews
Editors Picks

7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

March 24, 2025

AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

March 24, 2025

20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

March 22, 2025

Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

March 21, 2025
About Us
About Us

Welcome to Tech Brunch, your go-to destination for cutting-edge insights, news, and analysis in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cryptocurrency, Technology, and Startups. At Tech Brunch, we are passionate about exploring the latest trends, innovations, and developments shaping the future of these dynamic industries.

Our Picks

Sequoia bets on silence | TechCrunch

July 12, 2025

Can “ethical” spyware makers justify offering their technology to ice?

July 11, 2025

Sarah Smith launches a $16 million fund and says AI can “unlock” for solo GPS like herself

July 11, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

© 2025 TechBrunch. Designed by TechBrunch.
  • Home
  • About Tech Brunch
  • Advertise with Tech Brunch
  • Contact us
  • DMCA Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.