Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to attenuate acoustic and light energy, and an audio channel comprising a microphone and speaker that can play input derived primarily from either the microphone or from a different audio source. The privacy/security apparatus includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that can receive the input from the microphone and provide the input to the speaker or process the microphone input prior to providing speaker, and seed to generate a masking signal provided to one or more speakers with an output that is played to one or more microphones of a portable communication device. Further, the privacy/security apparatus includes a microprocessor configured and arranged to: i. load software on the DSP, and ii. provide control of a user interface that controls at least some functions of the apparatus.