Users are fleeing away from WhatsApp’s upcoming new terms and policies and are considering new apps like Telegram and Signal as more secure options.
WhatsApp’s primal rivals are climbing and gaining popularity after WhatsApp recently announced an ultimatum to its more than 2 billion users: a policy that enables sharing data with Facebook.
The new policies of Whatsapp generated great controversy and many negative reactions that led to a massive migration of users.
WhatsApp has now tried to clarify what the terms and policies will imply and has decided to postpone the date for users to accept or reject the new regulations. Despite that, it is too late; most users do not feel safe having the app on their devices.
A measure like this brings many benefits and advantages to its main rivals. Millions of people are choosing to switch to Telegram and Signal with intentions to set there their businesses because these messaging apps show greater security and privacy. However, some questions are hanging in the air: Which one to use? Which one is safer? Which one is better?
Which one to use? Which one is safer? Which one is better? Telegram vs. Signal
Telegram and Signal are both messaging applications that show very similar features to their counterparts WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Both operate with standard messaging interfaces and similar functionalities: send and receive text messages, voice notes, multimedia files, emojis, gif, stickers as well as some extra features.
Both are available to download on Android and iOS devices for free. Users need to have a phone number to complete a download. Also, both Telegram and Signal have a desktop application that allows users to access their accounts from the computer, no matter the operating system.
However, many differences between both apps show their teeth to convince users which one is the best for them. These features relate to functionalities and privacy policies.
Privacy is Always a Big Concern
The debate about the security and privacy of messaging apps is there since a long time ago. Now, a user decides to join any online platform, they read and accept terms and conditions of use that in many cases mean the use of some of their data by third parties.
WhatsApp’s privacy policy shows us the scale of data that this application collects. “We use all the information we have to help us operate, deliver, improve, understand, personalize, support, and market our services.” Besides, it adds that you can share information at your discretion.
In an app like Signal, all messages and communication are end-to-end encrypted between devices running that application. End-to-end encryption is a formula that users can also find in WhatsApp. The end-to-end encryption system ensures that only the sender or recipients of a message can read its content.
In this regard, Telegram seems to stand-still behind the curtains. In this application, end-to-end encryption is not a predetermined feature but appears as an option when users activate the ‘Secret Chat’ function. Also, such encrypted messaging functionality is only available for a conversation between two users.
By: Jenson Nuñez
