John McAfee's Chadder aims to keep your messages private, lands on Windows Phone before iOS

John McAfee and his new company, Future Tense Private Systems (FTC), have released an encrypted messaging app for mobile users. The app is named 'Chadder' and it is now available on Android and Windows Phone 8.1, with an iOS version due in the coming weeks. The app is meant to address the growing concerns of mobile users who worry about government eavesdropping, especially after the Edward Snowden leaks in the news.

Chadder is a simple app, currently described as 'early beta'. That means users shouldn't expect a robust or feature complete experience, but at least the core of the service is supposedly up and running. The app encrypts messages with only odd characters coming through if someone were to intercept the communications.

When launching the app, users can either sign in or sign up. The process is simple, with only a user name, name and password required. More detailed information can optionally be added via the Settings so that other users can find you to add to their buddy list. You can see more about the service in their demo video, which explains the service. So far though, we have been unsuccessful in finding friends and using Chadder to test for this article.

It's not too clear yet just how secure Chadder is when compared to other services, though we suppose some white papers on the subject will be coming forward in the weeks ahead. The other question is just how many updates will it take before Chadder is on a level playing ground when compared to more robust services like Viber, WhatsApp and Line.

Users on Windows Phone can find the app here in their Store. No word on an ETA for the iPhone version, though Apple fans should expect it "in the coming weeks". More can be learned about the service by heading to the official Chadder site. The app is for Windows Phone 8.1 ONLY

Update: Version 1.1.0.2 just went live, updated from 1.1.0.0 from a few days ago. New changes include implemented icons, implemented "block user" and fixed minor issues.

Source: TNW; Thanks, Dries De S., for the tip

QR: Chaddr

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

79 Comments
  • Keep them coming...
  • As an admitted 'rushed beta', the app is not working too well. Still, it may be worth it to keep an eye on it for its future potential.
  • I wonder how well that iOS version is going to work....
  • I have a good feeling the iOS version is going to be a stable build rather than a beta version like on Android and Windows Phone. Even though we got it first it doesn't mean it's the best.
  • Yeah, probably so..
  • Quit often the Windows Phone version was more stable because it appeared later. Could be the same now. Or could not be ;)
  • I'd have to disagree.. Look at Whatsapp, and Voxer.. Especially Voxer... Like I've said before,, it seems like some of these companies release a WP app just to either look good, or shut up WP fans.. Most likely both..
  • Nops, the iOS versions isn't  in the firt beta! Mcafee says that the beta will be there some weeks. (iOS)
  • Well well well look who showed up.
  • You again❔❔❔❔❔
    You "brought a knife to a gun fight"..... Cortana..
  • "I will access your information to bring you better advertisements"- Google Now
  • "" has anyone seen my glasses, oh wait here they are on top of my head"""-- Siri.
  • :)
  • "Robust services like WhatsApp, Viber". Yeah, right.
  • Yay! WP before iOS! But honestly, I have a feeling that all governments have a lot better things to do than find out what movie you watched over the weekend.
  • Lol +620
  • You're missing the point. The point is to Know your communications can't be intercepted. The content (ultimately) is irrelevant.
  • Indeed.
  • Not necessarily; knowing what movies you watched last weekend, together with any other pertinent information, is instrumental to "profile citizens.
  • I'm intrigued. Currently says "not available for your device" but its definitely something I'm going to be watching.
  • not available for download in India....
  • Bro I downloaded it here in India!
  • Change region to US. I've been using it for so many reasons...
  • I downloaded it without changing region! Its there..
  • Oh then there's some problem with his account.
  • Hey, does store and everything work fine after changing region to US??
  • Yes it does. You get a better store, with better lists, and more apps. (though some of them aren't useful for Indians)
    Infact, I've been using the us region since more than 3 months.
  • And, does cortana work??
  • but how....there is no download button on my phone
  • Try update date+time. Restart phone and try to download again.
    Does it show any error btw?
  • my all setting is perfect,account is all right and store is working well for other apps....there is no problem with my device or account.....
  • Try downloading it from your desktop browser..
  • Throw your phone away
  • @ sudhish....shut your shitt and go away ....keep ur idea in ur pocket,they will work nice for u
  • Brought to you by John McAfee.
  • LOL this is so funny.
  • WPCentral really needs to let their app see embedded videos and pictures. I had no clue what Derek was talking about until I went to the website XD
  • Err the title says it all :P. Also you can watch videos with your prefered youtube app via the "more" section. Plus embedded pictures do show within the app, which can be viewed by tapping on images in the "more" section....
  • I mean in the comments....
  • Windows Phone and Android first...followed by iOS?
    Well that's different!
  • Download this app after 2days bcoz u know what I mean
  • LOL!!! I saw what you did there... ;)
  • THAT John McAfee?
  • Made me think my screen was damaged :/, in the top right of the animation there is a small spot that looked like that... So no worries if you notice it :-) Happy to see another app landing on WP first :)
  • Only app I'm looking forward to right now is BBM. Since Nokia and BlackBerry announced it's coming to wp8 we haven't heard anything. No rumors. No leaks. What's up?
  • Probably Blackberry got cold feet :P. However they could be waiting the official launch of wp8.1 or Lumia Cyan.
  • Dude, whoa... No way... That's like so siiick, bro.
  • Can't download it and im in the USA and using a L920.
  • same here in India....
  • WP8.1 only
  • now okay....thanx for clear
  • Update the article regarding the WP8.1 thing.. Most people here don't read the articles! :P they jump directly to the comments.
  • Great! Downloading now.
  • Can't download app in India on Lumia 720
  • Same here cant download. Phone software needs to be updated or not available in country or region :|
    Lumia 720 India. Any idea why?
    oops just read 8.1 only. :)
  • Isn't he still running from the cops?
  • Chadder is an Indian word, which means blanket!! How come they named Hindi word!!!
  • Lol agree
  • Give this guy an Oscar
  • Thanks, yuvii. Same Oscar Tere pichwade me dal!! Lol
  • It's simple, really: it's very difficult to name-check your brand against hundreds of languages and not have it overlap with different meanings.
  • I got its names patent I own that word ..gonna file a legal against jooohnnn
  • It would have been Chaddar then... LOL!
  • Guys I got it Without any problems! I have a Lumia 720 (India)
  • probably u r on wp8.1
  • Yep I am.. You aren't?
  • of course not....
  • For those who are complaining that they can not download it... kindly check your WP version. Is it 8.0? if the answer is yes then you really can't download it... you know why? Because it's only for WP8.1! DON'T YOU JUST FIND IT INFURIATING THAT PEOPLE DONT READ THE ARTICLE AND PROCEED TO BASH OR COMPLAIN???    Rant over.
  • Don't you just find it infuriating when WPCentral makes a slight mistake and after fixing it, has to deal with comments that use a bunch of all-caps words about people that clearly didn't see that they fixed a mistake? Because I do.
  • Love it when it comes in on WP first
  • Chadder, a new chat service is on Windows Phone, Telegram, with several months, not yet in WP...
  • Not available Uk lumia 920
  • Cool!
  • Eh, I'd worry more about obesity or drunk driving than terror attacks.
  • Where am supposed to type in that
  • Are they using us as beta testers for iOS?
  • Looks like we are indeed the guinea pigs lol as it looks like a verry rushed beta. Anyway will check it again when its out of beta.
  • Another secure app are coming :)
  • can not get it  even have nokia  lumia black and as  settings USA and english u¿USA and   appear not compatible just weird have an Lumia 820