Internet security and privacy are two hot topics in the industry. As social media gained popularity and relevance, revelations came out highlighting ways users’ information was stored and used. A high point was reached last summer when whistleblower Edward Snowden tipped off the world with information regarding the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance activities. The saying “everything someone posts online lasts forever and is open for the world to see” is truer than ever.
Not if Mark Cuban can have a say about it. The outspoken billionaire, “Shark Tank” star and Dallas Mavericks owner recently came out with a new app called Cyber Dust, aimed at giving users the ability to send and receive messages without leaving a digital footprint.
The app’s website lists the service as sending fully encrypted messages viewable by the recipient for between 20 and 100 seconds on iOS — depending on the length of the message — and 30 seconds on Android.
The timer is represented by a circle next to a message. It starts out green, switches to yellow and eventually red as time ticks down. Once the recipient opens the message, the timer starts, and once time expires, the message disappears from the message log.
No copy of the original message is saved, and no record is kept. Messages are saved on Cyber Dust’s servers for 24 hours if the recipient does not reply immediately. If the message is not opened within 24 hours, it is automatically deleted.
Users on iOS devices are able to take screenshots of message logs, but no name appears at the top. Instead, the words “chatting with” are present, and users have to tap on the words for a popup with the recipient’s name to appear.
When starting the app for the first time, users set up an account and are provided with four different accounts to chat with. Mark Cuban’s account, “blogmaverick,” provides a way for users to directly interact with him. Cuban regularly sends messages regarding business tips, motivational messages and backstage insight into the Dallas Mavericks.
Numerous celebrities and personalities have joined Cyber Dust in an attempt to connect with fans in ways previously unavailable. Rapper 2 Chainz, basketball star Dirk Nowitzki and Shark Tank co-star Daymond John all have accounts to interact with fans. Accounts about food, life hacks and horoscope are also available for users to follow.
The list of verified accounts is sure to grow as the app gains popularity in what it promises to provide to its users. How an app like Cyber Dust impacts college students and the sharing of information is still a work in progress. Feel free to test out the app and tell The Hub@TTU if you like it and if you see a need for it among college students!
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About Julien Demers
