Y
HN HRCB new | past | comments | ask | show | by right | domains | dashboard | about hrcb
+0.40 Cell Service for the Fairly Paranoid (www.cape.co)
61 points by 0xWTF 3 hours ago | 40 comments on HN | Neutral Landing Page · vv3.4 · 2026-02-24
Article Heatmap
Preamble: +0.41 — Preamble P Article 1: +0.25 — Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood 1 Article 2: +0.18 — Non-Discrimination 2 Article 3: +0.51 — Life, Liberty, Security 3 Article 4: ND — No Slavery Article 4: No Data — No Slavery 4 Article 5: ND — No Torture Article 5: No Data — No Torture 5 Article 6: ND — Legal Personhood Article 6: No Data — Legal Personhood 6 Article 7: +0.12 — Equality Before Law 7 Article 8: ND — Right to Remedy Article 8: No Data — Right to Remedy 8 Article 9: ND — No Arbitrary Detention Article 9: No Data — No Arbitrary Detention 9 Article 10: ND — Fair Hearing Article 10: No Data — Fair Hearing 10 Article 11: ND — Presumption of Innocence Article 11: No Data — Presumption of Innocence 11 Article 12: +0.76 — Privacy 12 Article 13: ND — Freedom of Movement Article 13: No Data — Freedom of Movement 13 Article 14: ND — Asylum Article 14: No Data — Asylum 14 Article 15: ND — Nationality Article 15: No Data — Nationality 15 Article 16: ND — Marriage & Family Article 16: No Data — Marriage & Family 16 Article 17: +0.55 — Property 17 Article 18: ND — Freedom of Thought Article 18: No Data — Freedom of Thought 18 Article 19: +0.48 — Freedom of Expression 19 Article 20: +0.18 — Assembly & Association 20 Article 21: ND — Political Participation Article 21: No Data — Political Participation 21 Article 22: ND — Social Security Article 22: No Data — Social Security 22 Article 23: ND — Work & Equal Pay Article 23: No Data — Work & Equal Pay 23 Article 24: ND — Rest & Leisure Article 24: No Data — Rest & Leisure 24 Article 25: 0.00 — Standard of Living 25 Article 26: ND — Education Article 26: No Data — Education 26 Article 27: ND — Cultural Participation Article 27: No Data — Cultural Participation 27 Article 28: ND — Social & International Order Article 28: No Data — Social & International Order 28 Article 29: ND — Duties to Community Article 29: No Data — Duties to Community 29 Article 30: ND — No Destruction of Rights Article 30: No Data — No Destruction of Rights 30
Negative Neutral Positive No Data
Aggregates
Weighted Mean +0.40 Unweighted Mean +0.34
Max +0.76 Article 12 Min 0.00 Article 25
Signal 10 No Data 21
Confidence 15% Volatility 0.22 (Medium)
Negative 0 Channels E: 0.3 S: 0.7
SETL -0.12 Structural-dominant
Evidence: High: 1 Medium: 5 Low: 4 No Data: 21
Theme Radar
Foundation Security Legal Privacy & Movement Personal Expression Economic & Social Cultural Order & Duties Foundation: 0.28 (3 articles) Security: 0.51 (1 articles) Legal: 0.12 (1 articles) Privacy & Movement: 0.76 (1 articles) Personal: 0.55 (1 articles) Expression: 0.33 (2 articles) Economic & Social: 0.00 (1 articles) Cultural: 0.00 (0 articles) Order & Duties: 0.00 (0 articles)
Domain Context Profile
Element Modifier Affects Note
Privacy +0.15
Article 3 Article 12 Article 19
Landing page explicitly emphasizes privacy-first design principles: 'Ask less', 'Track less', data minimization, deletion practices, and no data selling. Observable structural commitment to data protection.
Terms of Service
Terms of Service not accessible from provided content snapshot.
Accessibility
No accessibility features or WCAG indicators observable in provided content.
Mission +0.12
Article 12 Article 3
Mission statement centers on privacy, security, and user protection. Stated principles align with personal dignity and freedom from intrusion.
Editorial Code
No editorial code or journalistic standards applicable; commercial service provider.
Ownership
Ownership structure not disclosed in provided content.
Access Model -0.05
Article 25 Article 3
Service is subscription-based (first month $30). While premium features suggest quality, paywall may limit access for economically disadvantaged users, though not prohibited under UDHR.
Ad/Tracking +0.08
Article 12 Article 19
Explicitly states data is 'never sold' and deleted promptly. Observable commitment to restrict tracking and commercial exploitation of personal data.
HN Discussion 15 top-level comments
jerlam 2026-02-24 23:15 UTC link
Secondary numbers sounds neat:

https://www.cape.co/blog/product-feature-secondary-numbers

I've been using my Google Voice number for something similar. But Cape doesn't specify if/when these numbers are rotated in any way - you have three numbers to track now, and you can't retain these numbers if you switch services.

treetalker 2026-02-24 23:18 UTC link
If anyone uses this and could tell us about your experience, please do!
dlenski 2026-02-24 23:27 UTC link
From their "Features" drop-down:

> Minimal Data Collection

> Identifier Rotation

> Secondary Numbers

> Disappearing Call Logs

> SIM Swap Protection

> Network Lock

> Encrypted Voicemail

> Private Payment

> Last-Mile Encrypted Texting

> Secure Global Roaming

"Identifier (IMSI) Rotation", "Secure Global Roaming" and "Network Lock" do look interesting *IF* they can actually address some of the baseband vulnerabilities that plague all modern devices. That's a Big If.

SIM Swap Protection you already get by using a VoIP number rather than a cell number.

And the other features are irrelevant if you're using over-the-top end-to-end encrypted messaging, like Signal, rather than Plain Old Telephone Service and SMS.

buttocks 2026-02-24 23:48 UTC link
Will not pass muster with FCC. Know Your Customer regulations require the company to … know the customer. They will not last.
throwaway57572 2026-02-24 23:50 UTC link
You might check out who the CEO is here and how he runs the company and then consider whether you'd trust them. And look at the infra providers they use. Not what I would call the most upstanding bunch.
monster_truck 2026-02-24 23:58 UTC link
Do not fall for a word of this. If you've spent any time dealing with actual SIP providers (ie not the shit you'd hook an app up to, the ones debt collectors use), you'll know exactly how much you can trust them. Same difference
helterskelter 2026-02-25 00:01 UTC link
How does this compare to Phreeli [1]? Has anyone here used either of the services?

1: https://www.phreeli.com

konaraddi 2026-02-25 00:03 UTC link
I hope this succeeds and isn’t backdoored
LorenDB 2026-02-25 00:11 UTC link
> Enjoy unlimited high-speed data; after 50GB, speeds may slow to 256 kbps.

Last I checked 256 Kbps is not high speed. You can advertise this as unlimited data, or you can advertise it as 50 GB of high-speed data, but you can't call it unlimited high-speed data.

gruez 2026-02-25 00:21 UTC link
>Identifier Rotation

>Protect yourself from persistent tracking by rotating your IMSI every 24 hours, so you appear as a new subscriber each day.

But nothing for IMEI, which is fixed for a given device. Unless you got a new phone to use with this service, it can instantly be linked back to whatever previous service you're using. If we assume that whatever carrier they partner with keeps both IMEI and IMSI logs (why wouldn't they?) it basically makes any privacy benefits from this questionable. It's like clearing your cookies but not changing your IP (assuming no CGNAT).

The other benefits also seem questionable. "Disappearing Call Logs" don't really help when the person you're calling has a carrier that keeps logs, and if both of you care about privacy, why not just use signal?

They're asking $99/month for this, which is a bit steep. If you only care about the rotating IMSI, don't care about PSTN access (ie. no calls/texting), you can replicate it with some sort of data esim for much cheaper. The various e-shops that sell esims don't do KYC either.

iamnothere 2026-02-25 00:44 UTC link
Unfortunate that it doesn’t seem to support Linux phones. Phreely or Purism’s AweSIM would be a better fit for anyone running a non-Android/non-iOS setup. Hopefully they add this in the future.
efficax 2026-02-25 00:58 UTC link
No way this isn't funded by the CIA
mzmzmzm 2026-02-25 01:00 UTC link
So it's an MVNO mostly on the AT&T network with extra privacy features? I think it still all then comes down to how you use your phone and how much you can trust the whole pipeline. I use Credo Mobile which doesn't seem totally different. https://www.credomobile.com/our-story
drnick1 2026-02-25 01:11 UTC link
What about crypto payments?

How does this compare to silent.link?

Ms-J 2026-02-25 01:23 UTC link
I've looked into this company before and when I saw who was behind it and on the team it was an immediate red flag to never use or trust this company.

Look at who Doyle has worked for previously and what connections he has. Palantir and the military, to start.

Score Breakdown
+0.41
Preamble Preamble
Medium P: Privacy-by-design architecture C: Data minimization commitment
Editorial
+0.25
Structural
+0.35
SETL
-0.19
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Preamble invokes human dignity and fundamental freedoms. Content demonstrates alignment with dignity principles through privacy and security commitments, though commercial framing is neutral.

+0.25
Article 1 Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
Low P: Equal access to service (no discrimination observable)
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.20
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

No explicit editorial content on equality. Structural: no discriminatory barriers visible in signup process or service description.

+0.18
Article 2 Non-Discrimination
Low P: Universal signup model
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.15
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Landing page shows uniform access offer; no evidence of discrimination based on protected characteristics.

+0.51
Article 3 Life, Liberty, Security
Medium A: 'Privacy and security at its core' P: Data deletion and non-sale practices
Editorial
+0.30
Structural
+0.40
SETL
-0.20
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Right to life, liberty, security explicitly supported through privacy commitments. Structural design prioritizes personal security over commercial extraction.

ND
Article 4 No Slavery

No slavery or servitude references applicable. ND.

ND
Article 5 No Torture

No torture or cruel treatment references. ND.

ND
Article 6 Legal Personhood

Right to recognition as person not addressed. ND.

+0.12
Article 7 Equality Before Law
Low P: Equal service terms
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.10
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

No observable inequality before law. Structural: uniform terms of service visible.

ND
Article 8 Right to Remedy

Right to remedy not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 9 No Arbitrary Detention

Arbitrary arrest not applicable to commercial service. ND.

ND
Article 10 Fair Hearing

Fair trial rights not applicable to service provider context. ND.

ND
Article 11 Presumption of Innocence

Criminal liability retroactivity not applicable. ND.

+0.76
Article 12 Privacy
High A: 'Privacy and security at its core' F: Data minimization, deletion, non-sale P: Premium security features included P: Data deleted 'as soon as possible'
Editorial
+0.50
Structural
+0.60
SETL
-0.24
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Directly addresses privacy from intrusion. Editorial emphasis on data minimization is primary value proposition. Structural: concrete practices (deletion, non-sale) observable. Strong positive alignment.

ND
Article 13 Freedom of Movement

Freedom of movement not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 14 Asylum

Asylum rights not applicable. ND.

ND
Article 15 Nationality

Nationality rights not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 16 Marriage & Family

Marriage and family rights not addressed. ND.

+0.55
Article 17 Property
Medium A: Protection from interference with possessions (data as possession) P: 'Never sold', data deletion practices
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.45
SETL
-0.15
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Data treated as protected property. Privacy commitments protect against arbitrary deprivation. Structural safeguards observable.

ND
Article 18 Freedom of Thought

Freedom of thought, conscience, religion not addressed. ND.

+0.48
Article 19 Freedom of Expression
Medium A: Privacy as component of free expression (data collection chilling effect mitigation) P: Data minimization supports freedom from surveillance
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.40
SETL
-0.14
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Data minimization and privacy focus reduce surveillance-driven chilling effects. Not directly addressing freedom of expression, but supporting structural conditions enabling it.

+0.18
Article 20 Assembly & Association
Low P: No discriminatory restrictions on assembly observable
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.15
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

No restrictions on peaceful assembly observed. Neutral commercial offering.

ND
Article 21 Political Participation

Political participation not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 22 Social Security

Social security rights not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 23 Work & Equal Pay

Work and employment rights not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 24 Rest & Leisure

Rest and leisure not addressed. ND.

0.00
Article 25 Standard of Living
Medium A: 'Peace of mind' and security features support wellbeing P: Paywall limits universal access
Editorial
+0.15
Structural
-0.10
SETL
+0.19
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Editorial: security features support health/wellbeing notion. Structural: subscription model ($30/month) creates access barriers for economically disadvantaged, partially offsetting positive messaging. Regresses to neutral on balance.

ND
Article 26 Education

Education rights not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 27 Cultural Participation

Participation in culture/arts not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 28 Social & International Order

Social/international order not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 29 Duties to Community

Duties to community not addressed. ND.

ND
Article 30 No Destruction of Rights

Prevention of UDHR destruction not applicable to service landing page. ND.

About HRCB | By Right | HN Guidelines | HN FAQ | Source | UDHR
build 40c3f5d+6bbr · 2026-02-25 01:36 UTC