Pirate Bay founder creates encrypted messaging app Published duration 10 July 2013

image caption A mock-up of the planned Hemlis app

One of the Pirate Bay file-sharing site's founders has announced plans for a "totally secure" rival to WhatsApp and Apple's iMessage services.

Hemlis, which means secret in Swedish, will use end-to-end encryption so messages are seen only by the sender and recipient.

Peter Sunde said it was a response to governments spying on users' data.

The iOS and Android project is quickly approaching its $100,000 (£149,133) funding target.

However, Apple and WhatsApp say communications using their services are already "fully encrypted".

Blackberry is also planning to extend its BBM chat service - which can be made fully secure - to other mobile operating systems.

The team behind Hemlis said their service would be more beautiful and user-friendly.

'Secure, fun and sexy.'

Hemlis is being crowdfunded by users who can opt to pay either in the virtual online currency Bitcoin or PayPal.

In return for a $5 donation, they are being offered free access to all the premium features regular users would normally have to pay for, such as picture-sharing.

image caption Peter Sunde was one of three co-founders of the Pirate Bay file-sharing site.

In contrast, other apps are often funded by selling adverts or user data - a model the app's developers want to steer away from.

"We're interested in helping, not selling users", said the developers.

"No-one can spy on you. Not even us."