Twitter acquires mobile security start-up


29 Nov 2011

Twitter has acquired mobile security start-up Whisper Systems for an undisclosed sum

Microblogging giant Twitter has acquired start-up company Whisper Systems, a maker of software to improve privacy and security for mobile devices. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition provides Twitter with technology to boost the security of the microblogging service, and brings on-side Whisper Systems’ co-founders, Moxie Marlinspike and Stuart Anderson.

The duo, known as respected experts in online security, co-founded Whisper Systems last year, Reuters reported.

“The Whisper Systems team is joining Twitter starting today,” Twitter said yesterday in a statement.

“As part of our fast-growing engineering team, they will be bringing their technology and security expertise to Twitter’s products and services. We’re happy to have Moxie and Stuart onboard.”

Whisper Systems offers programmes that scramble data, text messages and voice conversations on mobile devices that use the Android operating system, so hackers can’t access the information.