Online privacy can be a tricky thing as it’s easy to get lost in a sea of information. Nowadays, we also have to wonder about who is tracking us, what for, what information will stay in the online space even after we delete it, etc. To help with these issues, Spanish designers developed Thero, a 3D printed prototype of a desktop device that allows users to quickly and easily switch between online privacy options.
According to Roman Torre and Angeles Angulo who developed the new device, Thero is supposed to help people realize the importance of their data and privacy. “Through the physical manipulation of the device we believe that is easier to [experience] … privacy, compared to solutions already available in the market, which are based exclusively on software. Those can be too abstract and tricky for the current medium internet user.”
Thero is easy to use: one can switch between encrypted communication methods simply by turning a dial. And when users switch modes (encrypted/ nonencrypted), they receive a visual reminder on their screen that lets them know how they’re currently protected.
For now, Thero is just a prototype and not for commercial use, but the team is working on developing a better software solution that would allow it to become commercially available.
Reference:
Roman Torre (http://www.romantorre.net/portfolio-item/thero/)
Digital Trends (https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/thero-desktop-privacy-device/)
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