​DARPA Wants To Build Ultra Secure Messaging App for US Military

Just last month, DARPA launched a project dubbed "Improv," inviting hackers to transform simple household appliances into deadly weapons.

Now, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is finding someone in the private sector to develop a hacker-proof "secure messaging and transaction platform" for the U.S. military.

Darpa wants researchers to create a secure messaging and transaction platform that should be accessible via the web browser or standalone native application.

The secure messaging app should "separate the message creation, from the transfer (transport) and reception of the message using a decentralized messaging backbone to allow anyone anywhere the ability to send a secure message or conduct other transactions across multiple channels traceable in a decentralized ledger," agency's notice explains.


In simple words, DARPA aims to create a secure messaging service that not only implements the standard encryption and security mechanisms used by other secure messaging apps like Signal, Ricochet, and Whatsapp but also communicates via a secure decentralized protocol like Blockchain to prevent cyber attacks and surveillance.

The secure messaging app will be developed in three phases:

• First Phase: Create a model for an existing decentralized blockchain-like platform and experiment with encryption protocols and hardware options.
• Second Phase: Develop and test the "working prototype."
• Third Phase: commercialize and full-scale implementation of the platform.

Also Read: The Best Way to Send and Receive End-to-End Encrypted Emails.

During the first round, the DARPA will award $150,000 per year to the successful applicants. The phase one candidates can then be eligible for a second round award of up to $1 Million for two years.

During the final and third phase, the selected candidates can then pursue commercialization and full-scale implementation of their platform, without receiving any fund from the federal government.

The solicitation will officially open on May 23, 2016 and will close on June 22, 2016.