The new WhatsApp update has created quite a buzz on social media. The privacy policy update has made people switch from WhatsApp to other options like Signal and Telegram. WhatsApp’s new privacy policy update has detailed more about its data-sharing plan with Facebook. it has also made it mandatory for the users to accept the new terms by February 8.
Many people are switching from WhatsApp to more secure options especially, the Signal app. But, is it really secure?
WHAT IS THE SIGNAL APP?
The signal is an encrypted app that lets its users send messages and make audio and video calls via the Internet. Signal’s USP is its focus on privacy. It supports group chats and group video calls too. The signal is open source and its code is peer-reviewed, which means that its privacy and security are regularly checked by independent experts.
WHO IS THE OWNER OF THE SIGNAL APP?
The signal app was created by Moxie Marlinspike, an American cryptographer. Signal Foundation was founded on January 10, 2018, and a former co-founder of WhatsApp — Brian Acton — made initial funding of $50 million (or approximately Rs. 350 crores based on the exchange rate in 2018). According to India Today’s report.
IS SIGNAL APP ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE?
The signal app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Although one can only sign up on the Signal app via Android or iPhone. Once you have set up an account, you can link Signal to your iPad or your computer. You can even use the app if your phone is switched off. To download the Signal app, click here.
WHICH IS BETTER, SIGNAL OR WHATSAPP?
Every app has its own strengths and weaknesses. While the biggest concern for WhatsApp is its privacy issues, Signal makes a way because of its primary focus on privacy. Signal app users can encrypt texts, calls, group calls, and gifs. The signal app can be your go-to if you do not have issues with backing up and restoring your chats. While WhatsApp has an amazing chat backup and restores feature. If one is planning to switch phones, they will have to follow slightly convoluted steps to carry their chats to the new device. This doesn’t always work but one can always try.
IS THE SIGNAL APP SAFE?
The Signal app is one of the most secure messaging apps one can use right now. Even Elon Musk recommends using the Signal app. Its end-to-end encryption is so trusted that WhatsApp also adopted the same, and it is used for pretty much all of its features, which means that it’s extremely difficult for others to spy on your conversations. You can also enable additional security features such as requiring a second password (other than the OTP) to log in to Signal on new devices, biometric authentication, etc.
SHOULD YOU USE SIGNAL?
The Signal app’s primary goal is to provide a platform where one can communicate without any privacy issues. If privacy isn’t your biggest concern and you care more about features, WhatsApp is a good option for you and vice versa. The Signal App is a much more private alternative to WhatsApp where the parent company’s business interests don’t clash with your privacy.
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