We are forced to accept invasive terms and conditions just to use essential digital services, and our personal information is often left vulnerable to breaches and misuse.
We wanted to do better.
Erik Prince, co-founder of Unplugged.
A privacy obsession.
From a young age, Erik Prince was driven by a passion for freedom and privacy. Visits to historical sites like Dachau and Normandy instilled in him a deep respect for liberty and human rights.
As a Navy SEAL, Prince experienced first-hand the vital importance of secure communication and the rising threats to personal privacy at home and abroad.
Witnessing the relentless erosion of privacy online, Erik envisioned a smartphone engineered from the ground up to prioritize individual privacy and a company focused on securing the associated freedoms of speech, association and the freedom to transact, which are interwoven with the right to privacy. He realized the need for a phone merging top-tier technology with a combined hardware and software solution to exit the big oligopolistic tech ecosystems. Now, 3 years in the making, he and his team created the UP Phone, the LibertOS operating system and a full suite of privacy apps to support secure, convenient communication for everyday consumers.
Elite team. Elite technology.
In 2021, Erik set out to assemble a team comprised of the world’s foremost privacy leaders and technologists to engineer a truly privacy focused, independent phone platform completely outside the Google and Apple universe.
Meet the exceptional leaders driving Unplugged's mission:
UNPLUGGED CEO
Ryan Paterson
Ryan has transformed tech landscapes for over 20 years. As Founder and CEO of IST Research, he drove groundbreaking tech advancements and global operations, leading to its sale to The Carlyle Group. His impactful career uniquely positioned him to lead the development and growth at Unplugged.
Co-founder & CTO
Eran Karpen
Eran pioneered secure communications and co-founded CommuniTake, creating the Intact government-grade secure phone, Intact OS, and Intact Solution Suite. A veteran of Unit 8200, Israel's elite intelligence unit, he brings unparalleled expertise in privacy and security to Unplugged.
Chief operating officer
Liran Stein
Liran is an expert in scaling tech startups. As a senior executive with security tech company NowForce, he led its sale to cybersecurity company Verint/Cognyte. With his background and deep experience as an infantry officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, Stein also brings vital operational expertise to Unplugged.
Chief Marketing officer
Theron Harmon
Theron Harmon has helped develop revolutionary marketing strategies and notable campaigns for more than a decade. As a partner in the Harmon Brothers ad agency, his proven track record with companies like Kizik, Purple, Squatty Potty, Camp Chef, Chatbooks, Clickfunnels and dozens of others uniquely position him to lead Unplugged’s marketing efforts.
CO-FOUNDER
Michael Yudelson
Since 2010, Michael has been immersed in the cybersecurity industry, conducting business around the globe. The visionary behind Unplugged, he recognized the critical need for an independent, secure communication platform for everyday use. As a former F-15 pilot in the Israeli Defense Forces, he brings not only his strategic mindset but also strong technical acumen and out-of-the-box thinking to Unplugged's mission of privacy and security.
Reclaiming privacy.
In May 2024, our first large production batch of 10,000 UP Phones landed at Unplugged's Nevada logistics facility to begin delivery across the in the US. This followed a few hundred units which successfully delivered in October 2023.
It's been, at times, extraordinarily difficult to get this product to market. Along the way, we've battled a lot of sceptics who said the UP Phone would never be built.
We are just getting started in our mission to wake people up to their fundamental right of personal privacy.
We're not just asking for privacy back—we're taking it. Your data is your property. Period. We hope you'll join us in this fight.