CommunityCube Launches Kickstarter to Fund Citizen-Driven Parallel Internet

Hardware startup CommunityCube has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the build and development of a plug-and-play open source, small server designed to build a cooperative, fair internet where users’ privacy and rights are protected.

The server bundles open source hardware and software to provide a streamlined experience, even if they don’t have knowledge of cyber security technology or programming.

“Average Internet users don’t have access to the tools to protect themselves from spying corporations or governments,” says co-founder Jonay Sanz. “We want to build a tool that anyone can use, even if they don’t have a technical background.”

CommunityCube is the physical layer, rendering secure cloud-based services over a grid, where everybody has equal power. When deployed, each cube acts as an independent node in a citizen-fueled parallel Internet, where users can be completely anonymous while also taking advantage of fully encrypted, decentralized cloud storage.

Each CommunityCube comes with the following fully assembled and operative hardware configuration:

• Hardkernel ODROID-XU3 lite
• 8 processors 2GB RAM
• Touch screen 3.2 inches
• 1Tb Hard disk
• 2 GEthernets
• 2x WLAN, one with 2Watt regulatory
• Micro SD 8Gb
• Internal USB HUB
• POE Extractor

Other configurations with a larger hard-drive and casing are available as well.

CommunityCube integrates a variety of services through its own operating system, called CageOS, making it easy for non-technical users to operate. These services are all based on, and improve upon, well-known open source software, including:

• A resilience grid that securely backs up all user data (based on I2P + Tahoe);
• Anonymization that allows users to browse Tor, I2P and Darkweb;
• Decentralized search engine (based on YaCY);
• Decentralized Realtime P2P Voice Video (based on Prosdoy XMPP & WebRTC);
• Adblocker malware blocker (Squid, Iptables, Suricata, Easylist)
• Decentralized social networking (based on Friendica)
• Anonymous file sharing (based on Blocksnet)
• Decentralized, encrypted email (based on Mailpile)

“At CommunityCube, we believe the Internet should promote freedom, protect users’ privacy and security, be indestructible decentralized backup and create opportunities for users, with our tools,” says Sanz.

CommunityCube servers are being sold for approximately Euros 300 (~$335 USD) and can be purchased through Kickstarter at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/communitycubes/communitycube-lets-build-a-fair-internet