First ISP to defy the FBI's ability to invade user privacy blends high-tech encryption techniques

Nicholas Merill, the first internet service provider (ISP) executive to defy the FBI's gag order on their request for him to turn over confidential information, says he plans to ensure his new ISP, Calyx, will be able to, " ... use all legal and technical means available to protect the privacy and integrity of user data." An innovative blend of wireless WiMAX-esque broadband, end-to-end encryption for web browsing and e-mail stored in encrypted form creates what Merill says will make Calyx technologically incapable of complying with FBI requests for user information. The ISP service is expected to only cost $20 a month and includes limited logging of user information as well as built-in anti-surveillance technology. Considering how readily internet kings like Facebook and Google hand over personal information, Calyx may change the very dynamics of search engine, social media and ISP business models -- web consumers are growing ever more savvy about their information being used by advertisers and invaded by government authorities. The Calyx Institute is also presenting its concept for a modular model privacy policy for Internet Service Providers, Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors and telecommunications providers at Brooklyn Law Schoo's "Legal Hackathon" on April 15.