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> the FBI, had conceived, built, marketed and sold the devices. > $1,700 for the handset, with a $1,250 annual subscription > Almost 10,000 users around the w

by rkk3 5y ago

> the FBI, had conceived, built, marketed and sold the devices. > $1,700 for the handset, with a $1,250 annual subscription > Almost 10,000 users around the world had agreed to pay So the FBI built a 8 figure ARR hardware business...

codetrotter 5y ago
But they probably had a lot of money to start it right?
- rkk3 5y ago
  The FBI sure, but who knows what kind of budget the team was given. But they did leverage their position as law enforcement to arrest all of their competitors
  - TheSpiceIsLife 5y ago
    They arrested their customer, which isn’t great for retention.
    - rkk3 5y ago
      but it's a captive market!
    - Bilal_io 5y ago
      I disagree, they'll retain them for many years if they're the right target.
Torwald 5y ago
It doesn't indicate how high the marketing costs were. Probably too high to sustain a business.
- youngbullind 5y ago
  Sounds like it was mostly word of mouth
  - eli 5y ago
    Those mouths probably didn't work for free
    - phpnode 5y ago
      Free to the makers of the device though, it's not like they were charging the manufacturers for paid promotions like an Instagram influencer would - they recommended this device to their associates because they thought this would help them coordinate their activities more efficiently whilst reducing their personal risk.
ChuckMcM 5y ago
Funny but that is exactly where my brain went too, it was like "Wow, that is some serious market validation."
- jacquesm 5y ago
  Of course, but there would be similar market validation for being able to hold up a bank without ever being recognized or to be able to steal money from bank accounts anonymously. That 'market' is called crime, and obviously criminals will be more than happy to fork over money for tools that help them to commit crimes without being arrested. In reality though, that market doesn't exist because if you or I would address that market we'd be hit hard by the authorities, and for good reason.
  - omreaderhn 5y ago
    As far as I can tell, An0m has the same marketing pitch as Purism.
    - ChuckMcM 5y ago
      ... or the "Freedom phone"
      - shapefrog 5y ago
        You should be able to have the american flag being waved or tastefully fluttering in the breeze in the background of your comment.
  - 14 5y ago
    There are more reasons then committing a crime for wanting anonymity. If I was someone with money like a celebrity I would want this phone. If I was a business with sensitive information I would want this phone. And so on.
    - Aerroon 5y ago

by rkk3 5y ago

codetrotter 5y ago

But they probably had a lot of money to start it right?

rkk3 5y ago
The FBI sure, but who knows what kind of budget the team was given. But they did leverage their position as law enforcement to arrest all of their competitors
- TheSpiceIsLife 5y ago
  They arrested their customer, which isn’t great for retention.
  - rkk3 5y ago
    but it's a captive market!
  - Bilal_io 5y ago
    I disagree, they'll retain them for many years if they're the right target.

Torwald 5y ago

It doesn't indicate how high the marketing costs were. Probably too high to sustain a business.

youngbullind 5y ago
Sounds like it was mostly word of mouth
- eli 5y ago
  Those mouths probably didn't work for free
  - phpnode 5y ago
    Free to the makers of the device though, it's not like they were charging the manufacturers for paid promotions like an Instagram influencer would - they recommended this device to their associates because they thought this would help them coordinate their activities more efficiently whilst reducing their personal risk.

ChuckMcM 5y ago

Funny but that is exactly where my brain went too, it was like "Wow, that is some serious market validation."

jacquesm 5y ago
Of course, but there would be similar market validation for being able to hold up a bank without ever being recognized or to be able to steal money from bank accounts anonymously. That 'market' is called crime, and obviously criminals will be more than happy to fork over money for tools that help them to commit crimes without being arrested. In reality though, that market doesn't exist because if you or I would address that market we'd be hit hard by the authorities, and for good reason.
- omreaderhn 5y ago
  As far as I can tell, An0m has the same marketing pitch as Purism.
  - ChuckMcM 5y ago
    ... or the "Freedom phone"
    - shapefrog 5y ago
      You should be able to have the american flag being waved or tastefully fluttering in the breeze in the background of your comment.
- 14 5y ago
  There are more reasons then committing a crime for wanting anonymity. If I was someone with money like a celebrity I would want this phone. If I was a business with sensitive information I would want this phone. And so on.
  - Aerroon 5y ago