Since past few days everyone is worried of Data Protection, Privacy etc. So in this article we dig deep and try to answer which app to use? WhatsApp Or Signal App
Signal App is the most private messaging app they say that it is a privacy-first-messaging app. Now from past few days it is becoming as the main competitor to WhatsApp. Signal app has a boom of 4200% increase in the downloads after WhatsApp announced its new privacy-policy.
What’s common in WhatsApp & Signal App
The common thing in the two apps is they use end-to-end encryption for hiding the messages in case of intercepted chat. The two apps allow for the free chat which made the most popular apps in the world.
Difference between WhatsApp & Signal App:
About Signal App
Signal is owned by a non-profitable company signal foundation and company which prefers in high security. CEO is Moxie Marline Spike and he is the co-founder of the signal with former WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton .
About Facebook
Facebook owns the WhatsApp. In 2014 Facebook bought WhatsApp which is founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, for 22$ billion. Major hacks have been done in Facebook and data breaches too in 2018 which impacted 50 million accounts data.
Officially Facebook agreed that they have accessed 87 million people data.
When it comes to the security matter we need to go deeper:
Whatsapp Security
Facebook cannot access the chat due to end-to-end encryption, but it can have permissions to take user data. Facebook has access to user’s phone number, IP address, mobile network, time using the messenger, payment data, cookie, location data.
Some users have agreed these permissions back in 2016. But WhatsApp officials states that if all users do not agree to the new privacy-policy they will lose access to the app.
Rober M.Price states that outside apps can easily access the user’s online activity data, call history this can be taken even they are using the app and also even they are sleeping
Signal Security
Signal App officials states that they only take the information of how long the user have installed the app and the last date it was installed. They say that they do not have any access user messages, groups, contacts or any type profile information.
Signal has a support from many security experts including Edward Snowden. He tweeted “I use signal ever day”.
Security expert’s states that signal is not perfect because it uses PIN code for the recovery of data, expert’s say that most of the people select a weak pin, which the major problem with signal.
User interface of WhatsApp
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion downloads and user can use the app with ease. The app is available in bot iOS and android. It automatically syncs contact list of your phone, with their identified phone number.
Users can form groups with the contact friends and make voice and video calls through WhatsApp. And it also provides to make international call with an ease. WhatsApp allows lock to the app with fingerprint and phone lock. And it also has two step verification by adding pin before accessing to the WhatsApp we need to enter the verification pin.
User interface of signal
Signal has less features than WhatsApp. The app is available in both iOS and android. Like WhatsApp users can send messages photos, videos, links and other files. User can have a voice calls and video calls. In signal we can form a group up to 1000 people. Signal has beta version with some more extra features.
Key Takeaways
Point 1: When you are on Facebook or if you are not on Facebook nothing changes in your personal chat. If you are Facebook user, also engaged with business WhatsApp then you see business related ads on Facebook and if Facebook is linked to Instagram you can se same ads on both platforms.
Point 2: If you have large business or following, WhatsApp remains secure for all chats in groups and individual. You must be cautious while using business WhatsApp. If you do not have any huge follower’s then you need not to worry.
Point 3: Experts suggestions is that there is no need to move out of WhatsApp if you only use it primarily to chat with friends and family. People are moving to signal from last few days according to the company. Signal also offers end-to-end encryption. But signal is run by a non-profitable company co-founded by WhatsApp founder Brian Acton. WhatsApp offers you to back by third party like google drive or iCloud. Signal doesn’t have such type of feature.
Point 4: According to my research if you are thinking to quite WhatsApp but still-continuing using Facebook products like messenger and Instagram and Facebook, then the exercise will be pointless.
Point 5: Once again I wanted to say is WhatsApp doesn’t share any of your messages with Facebook you are messages are protected by end-to-end encryption.
Lastly its user’s choice whom they trust, feel secure and connect with near and dear ones. Let privacy and security prevail.
