On March 18, The Overseen published an article about Handset and the mobile devices of a number of journalists. The article is inaccurate. It draws conclusions from technical indicators that Tellwright was not given the opportunity to examine, and it misrepresents how Handset works and to whom it is sold.
Tellwright does not comment on mission partners. We do not confirm or deny whether any agency or government is a customer, and we do not discuss how any customer uses our products. These commitments protect ongoing investigations and the people involved in them, and we will not set them aside in response to press reporting.
Handset is sold only to government agencies and to a limited number of vetted organizations, under agreements that require every use to comply with applicable law, including any requirement for a warrant or other legal process. The remote collection capabilities referred to in the article are available only to government customers enrolled in the Lawful Access Program, after review by our Responsible Use Council. Our products are used only in accordance with applicable law.
Tellwright takes every allegation of misuse seriously. When we receive credible information that a product may have been used outside the terms of an agreement, we review it, and where the facts warrant it we suspend access.
We respect the work of journalists. Tellwright answered The Overseen’s questions in writing before the article was published. Our answers were not reflected in it.
Media contact
press@tellwrightsystems.com