Having your phone calls listened to and your text messages read remotely is a genuine concern for many smartphone owners now that we’ve gotten an insight into the activities of the NSA spies. We’ve quickly learned that our seemingly secure devices are like an open book for those who have the knowledge and the power to get into them.

But the Blackphone, an Android-powered smartphone from Silent Circle and Geeksphone, is designed to ensure that your private data remains private, and cannot be obtained by even the snoopiest of snoopers.

Blackphone is the world’s first smartphone that places “privacy and control directly in the hands of its users.” It features an unlocked cellular module that’ll connect to any GSM network in the world, and allows users to connect to the Internet via anonymous VPNs so that their online activity cannot be tracked or traced.

It’s powered by Android, but the Blackphone runs its own “PrivatOS” user interface — a carrier- and vendor-independent platform that lets users send and receive secure phone calls and text messages, transfer and store files, and enjoy video calling without compromising their privacy.

“I have spent my whole career working towards the launch of secure telephony products,” said Phil Zimmerman, Blackphone co-founder and creator of PGP encryption. “Blackphone provides users with everything they need to ensure privacy and control of their communications, along with all the other high-end smartphone features they have come to expect.”

Introduction to Blackphone from BLACKPHONE on Vimeo.

Pricing and details on its specifications haven’t been provided at this point, but Blackphone will be available to pre-order at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona beginning February 24.

• SourceBlackphone