Privacy Chapter 8 — Secure Messaging Wars: WhatsApp vs Telegram vs Signal vs iMessage

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Representational Picture: Secure Messaging

Secure Messaging: WhatsApp vs. Telegram vs. Signal vs. iMessage

WhatsApp is everywhere, right? Most of us use it because it’s easy and everyone else is on it. But when we’re sending messages that we want to keep private, should we just go with the flow? This section is all about having a closer look at what happens to our chats on WhatsApp compared to its alternatives, Telegram, Signal and iMessage. While WhatsApp does its job well, Signal and iMessage step up the game in keeping our chats safe from prying eyes. Let’s find out how these apps handle our personal stuff and why you should think about switching if privacy is your priority.

Telegram:

Let's start with Telegram. Telegram, while popular, is the only application on our list which does not provide end-to-end encryption by default on all chats (end-to-end encryption means that only you and the recipient can read the contents of the message).

By default, Telegram offers encryption for messages in transit. This means the messages you send are secure while they travel to Telegram's servers, but once there, Telegram itself can access them. Unfortunately, Telegram does hold the decryption key in their servers which mean that they can decrypt the messages themselves or, if they are breached, the messages can be decrypted by the hackers. But Telegram does offer a secret chat option for having private conversations. It's called Secret Chat and offers the following features:

• Uses end-to-end encryption.

• Leaves no trace on Telegram’s servers.

• Supports self-destructing messages.

• Doesn’t allow forwarding of messages.

For more information on Telegram's Privacy Policy, you can read their privacy policy here, or you can read this article on how safe Telegram is.

WhatsApp:

Now let's talk about the big fish—WhatsApp. The history of WhatsApp is a complex one. Watch this video to understand:

First, let me clarify something important: there's a difference between security and privacy. Security is about protecting your data from unauthorised access, while privacy is about protecting your identity, regardless of who can access the data.

WhatsApp is secure; it uses the same open-source encryption protocol developed by Signal. However, it falls significantly short when it comes to privacy and the data linked to you. While WhatsApp assures users that it can't view the content of encrypted messages sent to another WhatsApp user, it doesn’t mention the extensive list of other data (known as metadata) that it collects, which could be linked to your identity. This includes your unique device ID, usage and advertising data, purchase history and financial information, physical location, phone number, your contacts and their information, the products you interact with, how often you use the app, and how it performs. This collection far exceeds that of Signal or Telegram. (Read about it here).

If this is not enough to convince you that WhatsApp is not as private as you might think, have a look at this video:

Fun fact, Mark Zuckerberg himself was reportedly using Signal 😁 (Read more here). If the owner himself doesn't trust his product, I think it's time to switch to Signal (more about it later, but you can read a detailed comparison here.)

Signal:

Very few of you might have heard of Signal, but if you are already a user, kudos! You are on the right step to taking back your data privacy in your own hands. If keeping your chats private is your goal, Signal is a top-notch choice. It’s designed from the ground up with privacy in mind. Every message and call that goes through Signal is end-to-end encrypted by default. This means no one but you and the person you're talking to can see your messages—not even Signal itself. It’s a favourite among security experts for good reasons:

• Signal doesn’t store any data about who you message or call.

• You can set messages to disappear, adding an extra layer of privacy.

• It’s open source, which means anyone can check its code to make sure it’s safe to use.

• Signal offers metadata protection, meaning any information about your message or a photo is not leaked and is kept private.

One of the major reasons I love Signal is because switching to it is very easy. It has a clean, modern interface without the unnecessary features that clutter WhatsApp, like Channels and Communities. Signal is available on all major platforms, including Linux, Mac and iPad, and its open-source nature means it’s free from data-hoarding companies like Meta.

Signal also has robust group chat capabilities and supports voice and video calls, making it a comprehensive communication tool. Plus, with features like disappearing messages and no ads, you can communicate freely without worrying about your data being mined for profit.

If you want to understand how secure Signal actually is, you can read about its robustness in this article. Switching to Signal is not just a step towards better privacy—it's a move towards taking control of your digital life. Give it a try and experience the peace of mind that comes with true privacy.

iMessage:

Our final messaging app for today is iMessage. Although it works only on Apple devices and is mostly popular in the West, iMessage is still a very private and secure option for messaging. Apple recently introduced Post-Quantum Encryption, and iMessage encrypts your conversations end-to-end by default. For people deeply rooted in Apple Ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, MacBook), iMessage is a very safe option for messaging (unless your backup to iCloud is turned on). Here’s what makes iMessage stand out:

• Your messages are protected and can’t be accessed by anyone else—not even Apple.

• You can send not just messages but also photos, videos, and locations securely.

• iMessage integrates seamlessly with your Apple devices, making it very convenient if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

While iMessage is highly secure, it’s worth noting that it might not have as many features as WhatsApp or Signal. Features like custom stickers, status updates, and large group chats are more limited. However, if your priority is privacy, and you are already using Apple devices, iMessage remains a strong, convenient choice for secure communication.

Summary:

So, here’s the lowdown on secure messaging apps. In today’s world, keeping our chats private is super important. WhatsApp is great with its encryption, but it collects a lot of data about you, which isn’t ideal if you’re serious about privacy. Telegram is popular, but since it doesn’t have end-to-end encryption by default, it’s not the best for security.

Signal is the go-to if privacy is your top concern. It’s got strong encryption, barely collects any data, and is really easy to use. If you’re an Apple fan, iMessage is also a solid choice. It’s super secure and works perfectly across all your Apple devices, although it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as WhatsApp or Signal.

Picture Credit: Forbes

At the end of the day, the best app for you depends on how much you value privacy and what devices you and your friends use. By knowing the pros and cons of each app, you can pick the one that keeps your conversations as private as you want them to be while not compromising on features.

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Chapter 9: Secure Email →