Lightning on WhatsApp! At the beginning of January, the instant messaging application updated its general terms of use. Now WhatsApp will share certain data with its parent company Facebook since 2014. This merger was not well received by WhatsApp users.
Disturbed by the announcement, many WhatsApp users turned to the competition. Among the most popular competing apps is Signal. In a few days, instant messaging saved an increase of more than 4000% of downloads. Signal quickly became the most downloaded app in the App Store and Google Play Store worldwide.
Who owns WhatsApp and Signal?
WhatsApp is owned by Facebook., California social network developed by Mark Zuckerberg. In 2014, Facebook actually invested a total of $16 billion to switch to the instant messaging app. The group felt that WhatsApp would quickly become a very popular app worldwide. Known for collecting the personal data of its users, Facebook does not trust many WhatsApp users.
Also, the takeover caused the app co-founders Brian Acton and Jan Koum to resign. Both men vehemently opposed Mark Zuckerberg’s Privacy Policy. Brian Acton explains that he regrets “selling the privacy of his users to Facebook”. He even encouraged internet users to delete their Facebook accounts after the Cambridge Analytica scandal emerged in 2019.
on his side, Signal was developed by the Signal Foundation.California-based nonprofit organization. “We are not affiliated with any major tech company and can never be bought by one of them” It explains Signal on its website. The Signal Foundation’s founders include Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton, the app’s current CEO.
After his unfortunate experience with WhatsApp, the man invested $50 million to develop secure and privacy-friendly messaging. Unlike Facebook, The signal is not listed on the exchange and never received venture capital money. Concretely, there is no financial pressure on the Signal team to make a profit. “Development is funded by donations and donations from people like you” also guarantees Signal on its site.
Which app is the safest?
WhatsApp and Signal, Signal Protocol encryption protocolDeveloped by the Signal team. This protocol provides end-to-end encryption of chats, calls and conversations. Therefore, Facebook cannot see messages posted on WhatsApp. On this side, the two messaging apps are very similar. “They are working on the same model. These are mobile apps that identify people by their phone number and connect them in a conversation using a central server”. Gerome Billois, a cybersecurity expert at Wavestone who interviewed RTL, explains.
On the other hand, Signal collects less information about its users than WhatsApp. The application only receives the phone number at the time of registration and installation date. In turn, Facebook captures users’ phone numbers, IP address, mobile network name, cookies, geographic location, and payment information. This data is then used by advertisers. Finally, it should be noted that Signal’s source code is freely available in open source. Developers around the world can always check this to make sure there are no loopholes that compromise users’ privacy.
Which email is easiest to use?
At this point, WhatsApp and Signal are almost identical. both emails Available on Android and iOS through an easy-to-use app. Also available on Mac and PC. More minimalist, Signal ignores certain functions offered by WhatsApp, such as pinning messages. If you have a basic WhatsApp usage, you will easily find your way around the Signal interface.
We hope this file will let you choose the instant messaging app you need. If you’ve decided to change your habits, we invite you to consult our tutorial on migrating from WhatsApp to Signal. All you have to do is convince your loved ones to follow you. Good luck !
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