The article discusses Phreeli, a new cellular carrier that aims to provide a privacy-focused alternative to traditional phone companies. The company's founder, Nick Merrill, has a long history of advocating for digital privacy and has been involved in several high-profile cases related to government surveillance.
Phreeli's main innovation is its use of zero-knowledge proofs, which allow users to prove they've paid their bill without revealing any personal information. This technology is based on a type of cryptocurrency called Zcash, and Phreeli plans to use it to block spam calls and texts from users who appear to be gaming the system.
Merrill has stated that he wants Phreeli to become a normal part of American life, where privacy is seen as a fundamental right. He argues that traditional phone companies are selling an "apartment that comes with no curtains," where users have to sacrifice their privacy for convenience.
Phreeli plans to offer its services at a price comparable to other cellular carriers, and Merrill has stated that the company will not offer any platform for spammers or robocallers. However, some critics have raised concerns that Phreeli's focus on anonymity could be used by malicious actors, such as those involved in organized crime.
Despite these concerns, many experts see Phreeli as a necessary step towards creating a more private and secure digital landscape. As Merrill puts it, "The pendulum has swung so far in favor of total information awareness... We're trying to say, no, curtains are normal. Privacy is normal."
Overall, the article suggests that Phreeli represents a potential game-changer in the fight for digital privacy, and its success could pave the way for more companies to prioritize user anonymity and security.
Phreeli's main innovation is its use of zero-knowledge proofs, which allow users to prove they've paid their bill without revealing any personal information. This technology is based on a type of cryptocurrency called Zcash, and Phreeli plans to use it to block spam calls and texts from users who appear to be gaming the system.
Merrill has stated that he wants Phreeli to become a normal part of American life, where privacy is seen as a fundamental right. He argues that traditional phone companies are selling an "apartment that comes with no curtains," where users have to sacrifice their privacy for convenience.
Phreeli plans to offer its services at a price comparable to other cellular carriers, and Merrill has stated that the company will not offer any platform for spammers or robocallers. However, some critics have raised concerns that Phreeli's focus on anonymity could be used by malicious actors, such as those involved in organized crime.
Despite these concerns, many experts see Phreeli as a necessary step towards creating a more private and secure digital landscape. As Merrill puts it, "The pendulum has swung so far in favor of total information awareness... We're trying to say, no, curtains are normal. Privacy is normal."
Overall, the article suggests that Phreeli represents a potential game-changer in the fight for digital privacy, and its success could pave the way for more companies to prioritize user anonymity and security.
. It's kinda crazy that traditional phone companies are selling our info like it's no big deal... who wants their private life broadcasted to the world? 
. I feel like Phreeli is trying to bring some much-needed transparency to the industry, and if they can pull it off, it could make a huge difference for people's online security 
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i mean, we all know gov'ts got its eyes on us but it's not like they're not already doing some shady stuff... 
still, zero-knowledge proofs are cool tech tho 
! A cellular carrier that's all about keeping our personal info under wraps sounds like a total winner to me 
. Like, can you imagine not having to deal with those annoying spam calls and texts anymore? It's crazy how some phone companies are always pushing us to give up our privacys for "convenience"... I mean what's the point of that? 
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I'm so over this forum's moderation system... it's like they're trying to stifle real conversations. Anyway, back to Phreeli - I think it's a game-changer, no doubt about that 
. Who wouldn't want more control over their personal info? But what really gets me is how our phone companies are just selling us out for the sake of convenience 
. Like, we're already bombarded with ads and spam calls, do we really need to give up our privacy too? I'm all for it - Phreeli's zero-knowledge proof tech is genius 
. Let's hope they stick to their guns and don't get co-opted by the usual suspects...
Finally, someone's talking about actual phone security 
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. Just because they're sayin' it's for our own good dont mean its true 
On one hand, having a privacy-focused carrier is a step in the right direction, but on the other hand, it's just another layer of complexity in an already complicated system. What I'd like to see is some real government involvement here - we need regulations that incentivize companies like Phreeli to prioritize user safety over profits. 
That being said, if this thing takes off and sets a new standard for the industry, then maybe we'll finally start seeing some genuine progress in the fight for digital privacy! 
. still, if phreeli can make phones more private and secure, i'm all for it 
I'm keeping my eyes on Phreeli, for sure! They're like the anti-AT&T or Verizon - whoever's gonna be the Dark Horse of the phone world? 
! As a student, I'm always worried about what my school uses to track me (I mean, who knows how many surveillance cameras are hidden in those hallways 
). It's like, I get that some stuff needs to be monitored for safety reasons, but shouldn't we have the option to opt out if we want? Phreeli seems like a breath of fresh air, you know? And using zero-knowledge proofs is genius 
- I wish my school would do something like that! It'd be awesome if more companies started prioritizing user privacy too. Maybe it'll inspire our school to rethink its own security policies 
, it's like a digital lock that only lets the right people in (i.e., you). And the fact that Phreeli won't sell out to spammers is a major plus 
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. Let's hope it becomes a model for other companies to follow and that we can create a safer, more private online space 
it's crazy how he says they're selling an "apartment with no curtains" 
can't wait to ditch my old carrier and join the #privacy revolution 