Although WhatsApp announced the postponement of its recently announced new privacy policy to three months after it was supposed to be launched on February 8th, users intend to abandon the app in favor of other apps.
If you're considering an alternative app for WhatsApp, here are some of the best alternatives now available to users of different operating systems: A number of competing messaging apps have seen an increase in the number of users over the past few days.
* Signal app for Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS and Linux users:
When it comes to WhatsApp alternatives, Signal is usually the first suggestion. This is because it takes a very strict stance on privacy, not only because it is encrypted end-to-end, like WhatsApp, but because its code is open source. This means that anyone is able to scrutinize their practices and make suggestions. Unlike WhatsApp, users should trust that Facebook is honest (and has not made any mistakes). Privacy experts can check the Signal code themselves, suggest improvements, and then check again to see if the company has implemented the promised modifications.
As a result, the open source nature of Signal means that it is one of the most reliable and secure messaging applications on the planet. Edward Snowden previously revealed that he is using the app, as well as Twitter creator Jack Dorsey.
* Threema for iOS and Android users: There is a very similar range of features for WhatsApp, including group chats, voice messages, video calls with up to eight participants, GIFs, stickers and more. The best part is that signal is completely free to use. The app is run by an independent non-profit organization that relies on donations, so you can support Signal as much as you can.
If you want to keep your privacy serious, Threema is a good place to start. It is priced at £2.99 ($4), not actually the least expensive option, but very low compared to all text messages, videos, voice messages and files. Unlike WhatsApp, Threema allows you to chat anonymously, so there is no need to hand over your phone number or email to the company when creating an account.
Instead, the chat app will randomly create the Threema ID when you start using the app, which is how friends and family will be able to communicate with you within the app. Better yet, the Threema app does not display any ads or collect any information about its users.
Everything is protected by end-to-end encryption, including video calls, files and even status updates (this is certainly not the case with all messaging services).
* Telegram for users of iOS, Apple TV and Apple Watch Smart Watch Apple Watch, Android, Windows, Linux and macOS:
The Threema app, which was designed and created in Switzerland, does not flinch features, as in addition to regular text messages, voice calls and video calls, there is also secure file sharing, group conversations and lists to broadcast messages to multiple users simultaneously. You will be able to send and receive messages on your smartphone, tablet and any web browser, thanks to the secure online portal as well.
Telegram is another highly popular alternative to WhatsApp that offers some very powerful security features, although you'll need to make some changes in settings to really make the most of this app. This is because Telegram does not use end-to-end encryption by default. Without any modifications, your messages will be stored on the company's servers, which is not ideal. Fortunately, enabling the secret mode eliminates the complete inter-party encryption of all communications.
Not only that, but messages will only be stored on your phone. If someone decides they want to delete a message, it will be deleted from all devices that have received the text. You can also set expiration times on messages, so you don't need to remember to go back and delete each individual text, and it will automatically disappear from all devices when the timer reaches the zero shot.
Telegram can be downloaded for free, as the company promises: "We will not sell ads or charge a subscription fee."
Telegram also has some powerful features, including posters, audio memos, group conversations, GIFs and more. There are also photo and video editing tools integrated directly into the messaging app, so you can make any last-minute edits before sending them to your friends and family. Like WhatsApp, Telegram is not open source, so its code has not been checked by security researchers such as Signal. However, it is also not owned by Facebook, which has been implicated in a number of privacy and data scandals.
* iMessage for iOS and macOS users:
Apple's iMessage service is available on all Apple devices, which means it's useless for those who want to communicate with friends on Android or Windows devices. However, for established friends and family within Apple, it's not a bad system at all. Apple uses end-to-end encryption by default, so all your text messages, audio notes and videos are protected from prying eyes as your connections are broadcast around the world.
* Discord for Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS and Linux users:
Discord has a special messaging feature that is very similar to what we saw from WhatsApp, but unlike the Facebook-owned chat app, there is no need to hand over your phone number. Like Threema, you can create your own username to identify yourself on the server-based messaging app. This can be a random word of letters or numbers, if you want to hide your name and number from the service. Discord began as a platform for players to discuss video games ... But it evolved into something much broader. Depending on how it takes advantage of its features, discord is now recommended as an alternative to privacy-focused messaging services, such as Telegram, as well as enterprise solutions such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Discord users can create a hangout with up to 10 friends. If you want to add more, you'll need to start your Discord server and handle hosting yourself.
The service has a list of features, including group chats, video sharing, photos, file-sending capability, and more.
Source: Express
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