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I got tired of wondering who’s reading my chats, so I built an iOS keyboard that lets me encrypt messages anywhere
r/SideProject
7/4/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirLock | http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6747940676 | Privacy/Encryption | - iOS keyboard with AES-256-GCM encryption |
- Works in any chat app (iMessage, Telegram, etc)
- No accounts/subscriptions
- One-time purchase
- Key sharing via QR codes
- Local encryption/decryption
- Uses iOS Keychain for key storage | | WhatsApp | Not provided | Messaging | Mentioned as example of E2E encrypted app with potential trust issues | | iMessage | Not provided | Messaging | Mentioned as example of E2E encrypted app with potential trust issues | | Signal | Not provided | Secure Messaging | Suggested alternative by commenters | | Umami | https://umami.is | Analytics | Mentioned in comment as Google Analytics alternative focused on privacy |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Distrust in chat apps' privacy claims
- Fear of message interception/compromise
- Difficulty convincing others to adopt new secure apps
- Inconvenient encryption workflows
- Physical device vulnerability risks
- Cross-platform compatibility issues
- Lack of transparency in closed-source tools
Problems to Solve:
- Adding extra encryption layer to existing chat apps
- Maintaining privacy without forcing others to switch platforms
- Simplifying encryption for non-technical users
- Ensuring key security during sharing
- Preventing clipboard exposure of encrypted messages
- Addressing regional app availability restrictions
Potential Solutions:
- Keyboard-level encryption integration
- Offline key exchange via QR codes
- Open-source implementation for trust
- Biometric key protection
- Android version development
- Regional availability expansion
- Improved UI flows (tap-and-hold decrypt)
- Automatic encryption modes
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Solving specific privacy concerns in existing workflows
- Platform-agnostic solution integration
- Transparent security practices documentation
Marketing & Acquisition:
- One-time purchase model vs subscriptions
- Privacy-focused value proposition
- Leveraging distrust in big tech companies
- Cross-promotion with privacy communities
Monetization & Product:
- Lifetime access pricing model
- No ads or data collection as selling points
- Platform expansion (Android development)
- Feature prioritization based on user feedback
User Engagement:
- Direct Reddit engagement with users
- Addressing technical questions transparently
- Implementing user-suggested improvements
- Building trust through no-network permissions
- Community-driven regional availability expansion