Security

Usecrypt is the world’s most-advanced data encryption system

Q&A with Jakub Kokoszka

Jakub is the managing director of Usecrypt, a global privacy movement headquartered in Warsaw Poland. Usecrypt is the world’s most-advanced data encryption system and the first company offering fully secured and truly private communication. Unlike competitors, Usecrypt never shares nor stores user data, ensuring the user is the only one with access to decide who sees and doesn’t see his/her private information. Usecrypt has a ground breaking patent technology that is offered through a desktop application and its newly announced messenger mobile application. Currently, Usecrypt partners with large corporations like DELL, IBM Bluemix, and Ernst Young, and is committed to helping people around the globe make the choice to bring privacy back.

1. Before we get in to the nuts and bolts of the GDPR going in to effect in the EU, would you first please characterize the status of data protection regulations in the United States and how this European move could impact this side of the pond. What would have to change in the United States for the type of security your firm offers to become the norm here?

The U.S. does not have a federal law in place like the GDPR that regulates the collection and use of personal data. Each state has a security breach notification law, which says businesses have to disclose when personal information is compromised in a breach. There would have to be a major change in federal law, much like the GDPR, in order for privacy control to become the norm. The U.S. relies on self-regulation, which has not been enough to prevent unreasonable use of personal data and breeches, including the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal. We take privacy a step further. We give our users complete control over their data. Data is not stored on Usecrypt’s server, which makes documents, messages and call logs impossible to restore once the user permanently deletes them.

2. Please tell our readership just a bit about how you became interested in data protection and what drew you to this career field as well as why people should be much more concerned regarding their data protection than they are?

It’s intriguing how much data is collected about us each day, from our shopping habits and current location, to how quickly we scroll through web pages, and more. We wanted to create a global society connected by true privacy. We developed a desktop app, Usecrypt Safe, which provides users with the ability to store and archive data and files, and to share encrypted files with trusted recipients. Usecrypt Messenger is our mobile application that offers fully secured texting and calling capabilities, hacker-proofing, and at the same time we never store users’ data. We are available for iOS and Android users.

3. "Bringing privacy back" is the first part of the manifesto for your company. Please tell our readers what that means for them?

It means we’re giving users full control over the information they want to share and don’t want to share on Usecrypt. We have ground breaking patented technology that offers fully secured and truly private communication. We also never share nor store user data. The user is the only one with access to decide who sees and doesn’t see his or her private information. In a hotel, you’re one of several people who have a key to your room. On Usecrypt, you’re the only one who has the key, along with the people you grant access.

4. Why is the idea that "I have nothing to hide" completely wrong?

Just because you are not doing anything “wrong” it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve privacy. We all handle a lot of personal information each day, from business communication and personal finance, to health care, travel schedules, purchases, and more. If this information were mishandled, revealed, or potentially compromised by a third party, that can create unnecessary anxiety or problems.

5. Why shouldn't it be "normal" for us to give up our personal information?

It should be normal for users to have control over their own data and decide what they are willing to give up, and this often is not the case. When we agree to trade our privacy in order to use a networking tool or file sharing service, we’re placing our trust in others to secure or handle that data as they see fit. The GDPR is a step in the right direction in addressing this, but it’s not enough. We’re committed to re-defining privacy and giving our users the key to theirs.

6. Have we come to a place in our technology-driven society in which we accept too much invasion in to our privacy?

It’s become the norm to give up our privacy in order to connect with others on social media, browse the web, make purchases online, and more. That’s the reason we’ve created this movement with Usecrypt – to redefine privacy and to bring it back. The user pays the equivalence of three coffees per month ($13.99 monthly), rather than paying with their privacy.

7. Would you walk us - folks who are not super tech savvy - through the process of using Usecrypt tools to protect our personal information including a layman's definition/explanation of Hybrid Virtual Key Management?

Hybrid Virtual Key Management (HVKM) technology is when one unique half of the user’s encryption key is stored on his or her device, and the other half is stored on the Usecrypt server. Because half of the key is stored on the device, it’s impossible for someone to access your data remotely. Meaning, you can’t log in into to your Usecrypt account without the specific device you used to sign up. Therefore, if someone gets hold of your login and password they can’t access your communications unless they also have your mobile device or computer. In addition, Usecrypt is also the only application of its kind that has a feature which allows users to check whether their device is under any kind of surveillance and currently being compromised.

8. Which of the popular social media sites is the worst privacy violator, in your opinion, or are they all equally bad?

If you’re not paying money to use a social media service, you are most likely paying for it with your privacy. There is a website, https://bringingprivacyback.com/ that lists questionable policies, articles and news about many of the popular sites including Facebook, Google, Signal, Viber, etc. They all have violation issues.

9. What are the drawbacks - if any - to the type of security Usecrypt offers?

Your device is half of your key, which has great advantages when it comes to preventing hacks. You must have your computer, tablet, or phone with you to access the data you’re storing and sending. This is due to Usecrypt’s special HVKM technology and encryption. If you delete your data, you can’t recover it.

10. What do you see as the future for information security?

Organizations and consumers will continue to see the value in more secure communication technology that will prevent hacks and provide more privacy. Additionally, we’ll see the effects of the GDPR over time not only in the European Union but around the globe including the U.S. I hope the technology will eventually get more oriented toward basic human rights and needs.

To learn more: https://usecrypt.com/

To see their manifesto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBhUy9QAOw

To see Jakub on Nasdaq Live: https://twitter.com/Nasdaq/status/995005354412007424

 

 

 

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