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CarnationFM: Berlin’s Innovative Radio Station Using Music for Secure Communication
Discover how CarnationFM in Berlin is revolutionizing radio by utilizing music for secure communication. Explore innovative technology and music fusion.
Berlin’s Innovative Radio FM: CarnationFM
A unique radio station with a focus on music has emerged in Berlin, Germany. CarnationFM, a product of EthBerlin 2024, serves as a platform where songs are utilized as carriers of hidden messages. This groundbreaking initiative was developed by a team of five hackers and a mentor with the goal of providing a secure, decentralized, and encrypted communication tool that enables private messaging while ensuring anonymity.
At EthBerlin 2024, CarnationFM was recognized with the prestigious award for the Best Social Impact. The project’s primary objective is to create practical applications that prioritize privacy, particularly in light of the recent Alexey Perstev case. Perstev, a co-founder of Tornado Cash, was recently sentenced to 64 months in prison, sparking concerns within the decentralized community about the legal implications for developers whose code is used for illicit activities.
The name “CarnationFM: Broadcast for a liberated future” carries a significant historical reference. It pays homage to Portugal’s carnation revolution, which took place half a century ago and led to the overthrow of Europe’s longest-lasting dictatorship. The revolution, initiated through peaceful means, saw civilians celebrating the end of oppression by placing carnations in the muzzles of guns and on soldiers’ uniforms, symbolizing hope and freedom.
CarnationFM operates on a decentralized platform using Swarm, a data storage solution built on the Ethereum blockchain. The encrypted messages hidden within the music files can only be accessed by those with the corresponding public key. This innovative approach ensures secure communication while leveraging the power of music as a covert channel for information exchange.
The creators of CarnationFM are actively seeking further development opportunities for their project but are currently constrained by limited resources. Their vision includes exploring additional encryption methods for sound waves and potentially expanding the concept to include video content, opening up new avenues for secure communication through various media channels.
What’s Next for CarnationFM
- Further research on applying encryption to sound waves
- Exploration of analog encryption methods like Morse code
- Potential expansion to video content for enhanced security