A few days ago, WhatsApp suddenly announced a change in its usage policy. The fundamental change, and the one that has worried many of its users, is directly related to privacy.
From May 15, Facebook will have access to our private data on WhatsApp, there will obviously still be restrictions. If you want to know more about the new WhatsApp policy, you can read our full review.
Before the news of WhatsApp, social networks burned down and different alternatives to the most famous messaging app began to be considered. The question was: which app can we use to replace WhatsApp?
Here are some alternatives to WhatsApp in case you are concerned about your privacy. Obviously no application is clean wheat in that sense, after all, if you don’t pay for the product, that means the product is you.
However, Facebook has a reputation as one of the biggest data traffickers in the virtual world today.
Therefore, if you prefer to switch to a “less bad” application, take a look at the suggestions you will find below.
Telegram
Telegram is one of the apps that is gaining popularity after WhatsApp announced its privacy policy changes.
Telegram is a bit more complex than WhatsApp (which doesn’t mean it’s hard to use) by offering more tools. Telegram also doesn’t require you to link your account to a phone number, a good way to avoid giving your number to someone you don’t want.
Regarding security, we find more of the same (only that Telegram is not associated with Facebook). Secret chats are end-to-end encrypted (normal chats are not), there is screen capture protection, and you can use self-destruct messages, which WhatsApp doesn’t offer.
Another point in Telegram’s favor is that since it is not associated with a mobile number, you can log in on as many devices as you want.
You can download Telegram for free from Google Play.
Signal
The signal is less popular, but it’s still a good alternative to WhatsApp. Offers chat options by message, voice or video. Its operation is practically as simple as that of WhatsApp, you will find its interface very easy to use.
On the other hand, Signal is one of the most trusted apps when it comes to privacy. All the calls you make with this app, whether video or voice, will be end-to-end encrypted, you can also send photos securely.
In this case, you will need to provide your phone number, but you will not be asked to access other information: neither your contacts, nor groups, nor any data stored on your device.
Signal is also available as a free download from Google Play.
iMessenge
Apple’s IMessenge gives us security for this very reason, because it comes from Apple. The Apple company has a good reputation for respecting the privacy of its users.
The problem: at the moment, it is not available for Android. Although we think it might be a good time for Apple to consider opening up the possibility for Android users to use its iMessenge app.
As with other messaging apps, you can send text, photos, or videos (FaceTime), but that said, you can only do so if your recipient is using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The attachments you send are also encrypted here.
Apple makes sure that iMessage and FaceTime are designed to use end-to-end encryption, so Apple cannot decrypt the content of your conversations.
Entrust
Confide is an instant messaging app that takes advantage of the WhatsApp scandal to highlight the importance its app places on privacy. So, it also becomes a good alternative to WhatsApp.
Confide says to himself “your confidential messenger”. It also ensures that they use end-to-end encryption with screenshot-proof messages disappearing as well so your private communications remain private.
Like the rest of the apps in this article, you can send text messages, photos, videos, documents, and the famous voice notes, both in individual chats and in group chats.
It is free to download and use Confide, and it is available on Google Play.
WeChat differs from WhatsApp mainly by offering more tools. Besides text, voice and video messages, share location, send files, etc., you can play different games, read news, and use local official account services.
WeChat offers mobile payment features (WeChat Pay), which can trigger our privacy alarms. We found it to be a good alternative to WhatsApp because of the wide variety of additional tools it offers and because it is not allied with Facebook.
You can check out all these additional tools that WeChat offers on Google Play.
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