A Chicago-area startup founded by a lawyer who was concerned about his inability to securely message with colleagues and clients today launched a secure messaging app for iOS and Android that is designed to meet the security needs of legal professionals.
Call EIE Legal, the app provides lawyers with a secure, encrypted method of mobile information exchange and an archived, unalterable record of those communications, stored encrypted in the cloud, not on the device.
Founder David M. Buddingh says that the inspiration for the app came from his experience trying to keep clients updated during fast-paced negotiations. Unable to find a messaging app that would allow him to communicate easily with his clients and meet the security and record-keeping requirements of legal communications, he decided to build one.
The app operates like other messaging apps lawyers and clients are familiar with, but also encrypts all text messages and keeps a record for safekeeping. In addition to messaging, it allows lawyers and clients to share encrypted notes, photos, videos and documents. Both parties to the communication need to have the app installed.
There are other apps that provide encrypted messaging, such as WhatsApp. The primary feature that distinguishes EIE Legal from those other apps is that it retains an archived record of the communications.
The app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. The free download allows the storage of up to five conversation threads. A subscription of $4.99 a month provides 50 GB of messaging storage.
EIE Legal goes beyond end-to-end encryption – data and communications are always encrypted and stored in the cloud. Additionally, EIE Legal automatically creates a record of every text message so users will never be in jeopardy of losing that information or evidence in a text thread – providing the lawyer with the ability to
