WhatsApp has been encrypting all messages you send and receive for several years now. This so-called end-to-end encryption ensures that if a WhatsApp message is intercepted, for example when you are on a free WiFi network, the messages cannot be read. That’s so safe! Granted, you’re never fully protected, but the average user goes a long way in protecting their privacy by using a VPN, different passwords, and end-to-end encryption. Which chat apps protect your privacy best?
Since WhatsApp is still very popular, we have to discuss the chat app. As part of Facebook, WhatsApp is usually not seen as the best chat app when it comes to your privacy. Facebook CEO Marc Zuckerberg is known for selling his users’ data to earn money. Apart from that, WhatsApp does offer the possibility to send encrypted messages, but also to make secure calls. At least it should be. According to the American research medium Propublica, more than a thousand employees of WhatsApp would have access to chat messages from WhatsApp users.
signal
Signal is currently seen as the gold standard for users who want to ensure their privacy as best as possible. The app is free to use and is also open source: unlike WhatsApp, there is not one party behind it that is in control. Virtually all features in the app, from video calling, to voice and text messaging, are all secured via end-to-end encryption.
Telegram
A good alternative to Signal is Telegram, provided you have chosen the right settings. By default, video and audio calls are encrypted, but text messages are not. Files you send are also not automatically protected. You can, however, start a so-called “secret conversation”, with which you can send encrypted messages that can only be read on your device and that of the recipient. Telegram itself says it can not access these messages and they are not stored in the cloud. Telegram’s privacy policy has also been updated several times topic of conversation been.
iMessage
This may come as a surprise, but Apple has also come a long way in recent years when it comes to user privacy. That’s why iMessage, which can only be used on Apple devices, is a pretty good choice if you want to chat securely. Text messages you send to individual or groups of users are encrypted using end-to-end encryption. Apple also does not share your data with third parties. Keep in mind that the high level of security is only provided when you’re chatting with other iMessage users. Do you see a blue arrow when you are typing your message? Then your message will be sent encrypted. Do you see a green arrow? Then this is not the case and your message will be sent as an SMS. So not encrypted.
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