Phase II year
2022
(last award dollars: 1695042939)
Phase II Amount
$1,499,988
Hidden MATH is a mobile application which uses Human Movement Networks (HumaNets) principles to deliver sensitive messages off-the-grid, using radio frequency (RF) and non-RF smartphone communications channels. Hidden MATH is implemented as an easter egg hidden feature in a specialized app developed by Clostra. Access to the Hidden MATH feature requires multiple levels authentication. Hidden MATH supports all standard messenger features, boasts e2e encryption, and includes ephemeral messaging. It uses underlying decentralized peer-to-peer and device-to-device protocols to deliver content in degraded conditions, be it censorship or natural disasters. Our solution opportunistically uses all connections available to smartphones, with typical use cases involving creation of local ad hoc mesh networks using Wi-Fi direct, BTLE, and other RF protocols. Hidden MATH can be configured to exclude all Internet connections and further, to use only non-radio communications. It provides a communication channel highly resistant to snooping and censorship, and has no easily-attacked centralized infrastructure. This feature will benefit activists in the repressive countries as well as warfighters behind enemy lines.
