Due to how Facebook uses personal data, people have started using apps like Telegram and Signal that have better security protocols.
The most popular messaging apps are Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, but due to how Facebook mines and sells personal data, people have started using apps like Telegram and Signal that have better security protocols.
What is Signal and how does it work?
Signal, also known as Signal Private Messenger, is a free communications app developed for Android and iOS devises. Desktop versions are also available for Linux, Windows and mac. It uses end-to-end encryption, which allows users to safely send group messages including texts, images, videos, voice notes and files.
You need to be connected to the internet in order to use it. The end-to-end encryption means that messages sent through the app are private so that no one else can read or access your messages.
The messaging app vs WhatsApp vs Telegram
Signal is easily the best as far as security is concerned. Signal goes one step further than WhatsApp by encrypting metadata as well as everything else. It also invented a new way to communicate between the sender and the recipient called Sealed Sender which means not even the company itself knows who is sending the message. You can lock the app with a passcode or biometrics. Then there is 2FA and an option to block screenshots within the app. Signal also added a new feature to blur faces automatically before sending images. Signal automatically encrypts all local files with a 4-digit passphrase.
However Signal can’t match Telegram on features. That said, there are still a variety of features: secure messaging, voice, and video calls, groups, group calls, disappearing messages like the self-destructing messages of Telegram, one-time viewable images, voice calls to its servers, a built-in option to hide your IP address, an incognito keyboard while typing , dark mode, the ability to delete old messages and blur faces and private information from images using its photo editor.
