Cape provides free private and secure cellular service to journalists and activists.
Targeted Surveillance
Journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists may be targeted via:
- Fake cell sites
- Government data requests
- SS7 and other signaling attacks
These tools and methods can track your location and intercept calls and text.
apps aren’t enough
VPNs and encrypted chat apps hide browsing and message content, but telecom carriers still log your calls, texts, and movements. That data can be hacked, sold, or handed to authorities.
Even legitimate civil activity, like protests, can be swept into “tower dumps” where authorities demand the phone records of everyone in a given area.
Cape is America’s privacy-first mobile carrier.
We believe that private and secure communications are fundamental to free expression and civil liberties, and we’re proud to support journalists, activists, and others who contribute to a free society.
Our Core Features
Minimal Data Collection
Use your phone with the peace of mind that your personal information and activity won’t be collected, exploited, or sold.
Cape collects only what’s necessary to provide service. No names, addresses, or Social Security numbers.
SIM Swap Protection
Don’t trust us. Secure your number and protect yourself from SIM swaps with a private key only you control.
During signup, you receive a 24-word phrase that generates a private key tied to your number. This phrase is the only way to move your number to a new device or carrier.
Enhanced Signaling Protection
Prevent attackers from tracking your location or intercepting your calls and texts.
Our proprietary signaling proxy eliminates SS7 vulnerabilities and blocks signaling attacks by preventing your device from attaching to suspicious networks.
Voicemail Encryption
Keep your voicemails truly private, so that only you can listen to them.
Your voicemails are encrypted with a private key that only your device can access.
Private Payment
Pay for your subscription without handing over your name or credit card details to Cape.
We don’t collect your name or billing address at checkout. Automatic monthly payments go directly to Stripe, and your card is never stored on our servers.
Government Request Transparency
Cape complies with lawful government requests but retains minimal data, so we can only provide what we have.
We notify subscribers whenever possible and challenge overly broad demands.
In The News
David Ignatius,
The Washington Post
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the leading nonprofit defending digital privacy, free expression, and innovation, and publishes the Surveillance Self‑Defense (SSD)—practical guides tailored to journalists, activists, and human‑rights defenders. Cape has supported EFF’s work in developing Rayhunter, an open-source tool that helps to identify cell-site simulators.
EFF is an independent partner helping Cape assess the needs of applicants to our journalists and activists program and proposing potential recipients for our assistance. By relying on informed decision-makers, we ensure the program benefits from civil society expertise and is not influenced by our biases.
Apply for Free Service
To apply for free Cape service, please reach out to us via email or Signal with:
- Your name
- Organization
- A brief description of your work and why you need Cape service
Messages will be reviewed by Cape and EFF team members.
Email us at capeaccess@cape.co
Message
Message us on Signal @capeaccess.19
Apply for Free Service
To apply for free Cape service, please reach out to us via email or Signal with:
- Your name
- Organization
- A brief description of your work and why you need Cape service
Messages will be reviewed by Cape and EFF team members.
Email us at capeaccess@cape.co
Message
Message us on Signal @capeaccess.19
FAQs
Is this really free?
Who qualifies?
Can I keep my current number?
Does this replace a VPN, MDM, or secure‑messaging apps?
What data does Cape retain?
Do you offer international roaming?
Can I have access to Obscura?
Will you reveal who has benefited from this program?
More Questions?
See our full FAQ list here.
Switch to Cape,
America's privacy-first mobile carrier.
Premium, nationwide cell service for $99/month with no hidden costs.