BlackBerry working with Boeing to make self-destructive phone for spies

Ultra-secure mobile is being developed for US security staff

Boeing and BlackBerry have revealed little about the phone, though details some of its specifications, and its back, on its website (Boeing)

Boeing and BlackBerry are working together to make an ultra-secure phone for US security staff, which will allow them to communicate securely and blow itself up if it falls into the wrong hands.

BlackBerry’s CEO, John Chen, gave away some details of the project when presenting the company’s earnings.

“Boeing is collaborating with BlackBerry to provide a secure mobile solution for Android devices utilizing our BES 12 platform," he said, saying that he couldn’t give any more away.

BES is BlackBerry’s server system for businesses. It allows companies to securely manage devices, including those are that not using BlackBerry's own operating system.

Many of the details of the project have been kept secret but Boeing provides some on its site.

The phone, called Boeing Black, has disk encryption, a cryptographic engine and modular hardware that allows it to be upgraded and changed in use.

It uses Android, rather than BlackBerry’s own operating system — Google’s software is said to be favoured by the US government because it is more secure.

Boeing, which is better known for making planes and weapons, has begun offering the phone to potential customers.