Emergent: Building the Future A Mobile Phone Carrier That Protects Its Subscribers
In this episode, we hear from John Doyle, founder and CEO of Cape, America's first privacy-focused mobile carrier. Before Cape, John ran Palantir’s national security business, served as a special forces sergeant, and attended Harvard Law. Now he's solving critical privacy and security gaps in the mobile carrier industry with Cape’s software-defined mobile network, which is designed to protect users from common vulnerabilities like data breaches, SIM swaps, and unauthorized location tracking.
If you've ever wondered how traditional mobile carriers handle your personal data, why privacy breaches in telecommunications have become so common, or how the next generation of carriers are building security from the ground up rather than as an afterthought, then this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
* Major carriers such as AT&T have experienced significant data breaches in recent years with most of us unaware
* Mobile carriers routinely sell subscriber location and communication data to third parties, including data brokers and advertisers
* Technical vulnerabilities in cellular networks can be exploited for location tracking and call/text interception
* SIM swap attacks are a growing threat where attackers can gain control of a phone number to reset passwords and act as the subscriber
* Traditional telecom security focuses on preventing unauthorized network usage rather than protecting subscriber privacy
* How Cape collects minimal subscriber data while delivering superior services
* What is looks like to building a privacy-focused carrier from the ground up
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In this episode, we cover:
* Introduction (00:49)
* Privacy issues with existing mobile carriers (04:04)
* Mobile network infrastructure vulnerabilities (05:20)
* SIM swap attacks explained (05:43)
* Data collection and monetization by carriers (07:29)
* Cape's approach to building a secure network (09:17)
* Software-defined mobile carriers explained (11:16)
* Minimizing data collection and retention (14:15)
* Journey from military and Palantir to founding Cape (21:49)
* National security implications of mobile privacy (23:38)
* Securing carrier partnerships with U.S. Cellular (28:06)
* Expanding from government to consumer markets (34:10)
* Identifier rotation and privacy features (38:03)
* Encrypted voicemail implementation (39:49)
* Building a team without telecom backgrounds (43:03)
* Working with law enforcement while ensuring privacy (46:53)
* International roaming while maintaining security (49:12)
* Challenges of building a telco from scratch (51:39)
* Where to sign up for Cape (56:06)
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You can connect with John Doyle through the following platforms:
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-doyle-48633227/
* Website: https://www.cape.co/
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You can connect with Adam through the following platforms:
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-judelson/
* Substack: https://www.emergentproduct.com
* X: https://twitter.com/Ajuggles
* Website: www.firstprinciples.la
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* Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emergent-building-the-future/id1746963428
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamjudelsonemergent
* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adamjudelson
* Website: https://www.emergentproduct.com
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For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast or becoming a guest, email adam@firstprinciples.la.
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