Signal, launched in 2014 by Open Whisper System, is an open-source messaging app that allows users to send encrypted text messages and voice memos, and make video calls using the internet.
Users can also send regular text messages to non-Signal contacts, but they will not be encrypted. The encryption based messaging app has over 10 million users and unlike WhatsApp, it doesn't share your data with Facebook for ad targeting.
The app supports Linux, Mac, Windows, IOS, and Android operating systems. Its developer, the Signal Foundation, is officially tax-exempt as of February 2019.
How to use Signal Private Messenger App?
What’s great about Signal Private Messenger App?
Messages sent to a Signal user can only be decrypted by the recipient(s). This eliminates the access of a third-party data overseer to your messages.
Similarly, all stored messages on Signal are also encrypted. This way even if someone got hold of the recipient's phone, without the owner’s passcode, they cannot access the stored messages.
The Signal app is a secure messaging app that lets you send and receive messages securely across different platforms – Mac, Windows, iOS devices, Android devices and others. It means you can send a message from your iOS device to an Android device, or from your Mac to a Windows computer. The Signal messaging app uses end-to-end encryption, meaning that your texts, phone calls, videos, files, video phone calls, and your location remain private. Signal Messenger, LLC, is a software organization that was founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton in 2018 to take over the role of the Open Whisper Systems project that Marlinspike founded in 2013. Its main focus is the development of the Signal app and the Signal Protocol.
Being an open-source software application, Signal private messaging app has publicly released the source code. This means anyone can audit the source code.
In fact, back in 2016, security researchers ran a full and independent audit of the Signal text app and found the app to be cryptographically secure.
Unlike Whatsapp, Signal doesn’t store any information on you except your phone number, random keys, and profile information. Even your IP address is only withheld by Signal until the information is sent.
As for information sharing, like any encryption-based service, Signal private messenger can and will hand over any information that the government legally requests, but considering Signal doesn’t store much data on you, it’s the most privacy-friendly messaging app in the market.
Signal or WhatsApp, Which one’s better?
Like most iOS and Android app users, you would think that since WhatsApp offers encrypted messaging services, all your information is privacy protected with this app.
It’s not.
Here’s a list of differences between the two:
1. Information storage:
How to adjust what app files open with mac. A closer look at WhatsApp’s privacy policy reveals that unlike Signal, WhatsApp stores a lot of information on you including:
2. Contact List Sharing
Even if you were not sharing the optional information such as your contact list, WhatsApp can collect your metadata using other people’s information, i.e., via your friend who’s shared his/her contact list.
3. Chat Backups
Another key concern with WhatsApp is that it backs up your data, by default. And, although, you could disable your backup, most users don’t. Hence, giving their chat history, to the Google or iCloud account, without realizing it.
Finally, as I mentioned earlier since Facebook owns WhatsApp, the data you share can be used for ad targeting. And, although you can opt-out of it, this little fact is worth noting.
The Final Verdict: Signal Private Messenger App Review
If you’re looking for a private messaging app for iPhone or Android, Signal is really the best option out there. We chose to review the Signal private messaging app, for several reasons that go beyond encrypted messaging. Video keeps buffering. Unlike other encryption-based messenger apps, Signal has always kept itself open-source and transparent, which means users can be sure of what information is Signal withholding. This becomes especially relevant in today’s time when data is the new oil, a billion-dollar industry that’s using user data with or without veiled consent.
It’s important to note that while there are plenty of secure messaging services, none offers a transparent ecosystem like Signal. Finally, if the current mobile apps you use aren’t meeting your expectations, head to our mobile app reviews to discover leading app solutions in the mobile industry.
Written ByMeenal Creative Lead
Signal Messenger For Pc
She is a writer and content marketer at MobileAppDaily. Her knack around the mobile apps is merely splendid. Her experience in the tech industry has assisted her in churning out the best and more importantly, unbiased mobile app reviews.
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