A recent update to WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service has prompted unhappy users sparked by concerns over user data privacy to seek alternative messaging apps like Telegram and Signal for increased security.
ALSO READ: Accept New Terms or Leave, WhatsApp Starts Rolling out Updated Terms of Service
Currently, Whatsapp is the largest messaging service in the world with over 2 billion monthly active users followed by Telegram which boasts of 400 million and Signal has about 10-20 million monthly active users.
Signal
Signal has been going viral on the internet in the last few days. It is a cross-platform encrypted messaging service developed by the Signal Foundation and Signal messenger LLC. The Signal app uses the Internet to send messages, files, voice notes, images, and videos. It can also be used to make voice and video calls.
Compared to WhatsApp and Telegram, Signal is better in terms of security. The app uses the open-source Signal Protocol to implement end-to-end encryption. And just like WhatsApp, the E2E encryption covers all forms of communication on Signal.
Telegram
Telegram is a freeware, cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging, and video calling service launched in 2013. The app is currently based in Dubai, however, the app’s cloud servers are spread worldwide.
Also Read: Telegram Users Get New Discord-like Group Voice Chats
Telegram is way ahead of WhatsApp, for instance, Telegram has support for groups with up to 200,000 members compared to WhatsApps 256 member limit. The app also offers multiple group-specific features such as bots, polls, quizzes, hashtags, and a lot more.
Also Read: Telegram Now Lets You Send Files up to 2GB, Trolls WhatsApp’s 16MB Limit
In terms of security, Telegram supports End-to-End (E2E) encryption, however, it’s only enabled if you use Telegram’s secret chats feature. Telegram has on multiple occasions maintained that it manages its message storage and decryption keys in a way that one would require court orders from multiple legal systems around the world to be able to access any of your data.
Conclusion
So far, the new entrant Signal which has been endorsed by Elon Musk is the world’s safest messaging app. If all you’re looking for is a basic and secure messaging app, it is the way to go.
However, if you still want the full messaging experience, from customization to entertainment, Telegram is the way to go. Albeit a little lacking in security features, the app is still better than WhatsApp and a good medium when put head to head with Signal.
