Messenger for thugs turned into a service for business: what’s known about the Mode app

OnyxCorp, the Canadian company behind the Ciphr messenger, has decided to conquer the corporate market with its new development, the Mode app, according to Vice.

Journalists discovered that the Mode website uses the infrastructure and domains of Ciphr and OnyxCorp, all connected to the same IP address at different points. The site itself, by the way, is not available in the US.

The Ciphr herald was once famous for its active use by organized crime, particularly drug dealers around the world. One of them even managed to avoid criminal prosecution, as the investigation failed to decipher the suspect’s messages via Ciphr. But the FBI has taken a hard line on the encrypted phone and the software industry for them, so developer company Ciphr has shut down the messenger.

But OnyxCorp isn’t going to drop a goldmine and has released a beta version of the Mode messenger, possibly based on Ciphr. The Mode app secures chats with end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages, and supports video calls and file sharing. Registration does not require an email address or phone number, and the app can protect users from copying their messages.

Basically, Mode works like Microsoft Teams or Slack, or can be seen as a competitor to Wickr or Wire. All of them are secure messaging apps whose paid products are aimed at corporate users.

Currently, the Mod is only advertised as a beta version. Site visitors are asked to join a waiting list for more information. Journalists made a request to OnyxCorp with a request for comment on the possible rebranding and development of Mode, but the Canadian company left the journalists’ request unanswered.

Previously Focus Coinbase wrote that the cryptocurrency exchange came under the scrutiny of the authorities for using the exchange’s resources in money laundering and settlements between drug dealers.