Is it time to try Signal or Telegram?

If you're among the WhatsApp users suddenly pondering the fate of your messaging systems but struggling to decide between Telegram and Signal - good. It is great that you have had the wool pulled from your eyes and you can now clearly see how Facebook is mining your data for profit. Despite the initial rumours that WhatsApp will share all users personal data with Facebook, the company confirmed that this will only be for WhatsApp business users. However, don't let this statement fool you, it is high time to uncouple yourself from this overbearing, tech monopoly and take back your privacy. Many others have already started jumping ship, at least when it comes to their messaging app. According to data analytics site Signal Tower, since Thursday, January 7, 100,000 users installed Signal worldwide while another 2.2 million downloads were recorded for Telegram. Signal got an especially good boost from the likes of tech celebrities such as Edward Snowden and Elon Musk who tweeted out promotions of the privacy-focused platform. However, if you're wanting to take your online security and privacy more seriously, then you can't just delete WhatsApp. As a result of Facebook's great ability to monopolise, nay, acquire, other tech competitors, just deleting WhatsApp won't mean your privacy is protected. So if you're considering a switch, it is also time to get off Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as these sites are all owned by Facebook. By managing to get out the strong grip of the company that has built a profit on your very existence, you are likely to feel a little freer and far off in the future probably a little safer. So which one then? Well, it is ultimately up to you and your circle which app you move to as you want to be where people can contact you. However, if you're wanting to pick the safest option, then taking advice from the man who put his life on the line for data privacy, Edward Snowden, is probably a good idea. Signal is built of the principles of data privacy with end-to-end encryption the basis of the platform. This is the open-source encryption programme WhatsApp uses and since its open-source you can have a look over it yourself if you understand code. The interface is a bit frustrating after you've gotten used to WhatsApp for all these years but humans adapt fast and so you're likely to get used to it fairly quickly. Telegram, which also encrypted, has a lot more shortfalls. The interface is a bit better but it is also a known hub for extremists and somewhat lax security issues. Most recently, Telegram groups have been the site of great scandals including a deepfake nude ring and a location glitch which makes it possible for people to triangulate your position.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Linktree’s free workaround lets you add multiple links to your Instagram bio

Image
Instagram only gives you one opportunity to link to outside resources inside its photo sharing platform. This might not be a problem for a majority of the users, but for those wanting a little more customization and even more options, it leaves much to be desired. Enter  Linktree , a free tool for Instagram designed to improve traffic to your outside link, be it a blog, portfolio, or store. How it works is fairly straightforward. After connecting Linktree to your Instagram profile, you’ll receive a single link to place in your Instagram bio. Once that link in place, you can customize what it’s linked to within your browser, be it a single website, or a collection of sites you’re looking to direct followers to Say you’re a photographer who’s using Instagram as a marketing tool for your wedding photography. Using Linktree, you can direct Instagram followers to your blog, your portfolio site, and even your other social media accounts. Until now, you would’ve been stuck c...
Read more

EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE PIXEL 4, THE MOST-LEAKED PHONE EVER

Image
Google’s  Pixel 3 might have been the  most-leaked phone in history . Long before its unveiling, we knew practically everything about it from unboxing videos, photo comparisons, even a full review of the device. Surely, for the Pixel 4, Google would clamp down on leaks to leave some surprises for its debut on  October 15th , right? Let’s just say, if that was the plan, it didn’t exactly work out. We’ve now seen the Pixel 4 XL from every angle and in three different colors. At least seven different sources have touched this phone, many of them confirming the same specs. We not only know which cameras it’ll have, but also what they may be capable of, including air gestures (go figure). That doesn’t even count information Google has already shared  on purpose. So if you want to know almost everything about the Pixel 4 nearly a month before it’s announced, buckle up. We’ve sifted through all of the rumors and information we can find to compile everything we know —...
Read more

The best antivirus software to download in September 2018

Image
You probably don't need us to tell you just how important it is to download antivirus software for your computer and mobile devices in 2018. But where we can help is to tell you what the best antivirus is right now, having tested and reviewed the latest packages from the biggest names in cyber security. Hackers are always coming up with new ways to gain access to your PC and other internet enabled devices (with your mobile phone and tablet included). Luckily the best antivirus companies are constantly updating their security software packages. We're already starting to see their 2019 packages come to market, with user experience tweaks and the latest protection against phishing scams, ransomware and all other types of viruses and malware. Right now, we think that  Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019  is the best antivirus that your money can buy  (or  head here for UK pricing ). It combines watertight antivirus tools with an array of other excellent security...
Read more