The best messaging apps for privacy and security in 2022 | Alternative for WhatsApp

With more than 2 billion active users, WhatsApp is undoubtedly the biggest messaging app in the market. However, the Facebook-owned app is always rolling up new terms of use that have slowly eroded user privacy and safety. The latest privacy policy has only made it worse. 

If you are not comfortable with WhatsApp harvesting your user data, maybe it is time to move to a safer app that cares about user privacy.

Top 3 Messaging Apps for privacy and security 

Telegram

This messaging app was developed in the UK and has been in the market for a while. On top of its privacy features, Telegram comes loaded with amazing features in an easy-to-use interface, ensuring new users adapt to the platform with ease.

Telegram uses an open API, making it one of the most trusted apps for security and privacy. It uses end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and media, supports group chats for up to 200,000 members and media shares up to 2GB at a time.

The icing on the cake is the secret chat feature that allows you to share secret chats with your contacts. When this feature is activated, your chats are not saved on the telegram server. This way, the messages are forever lost once you delete them from your phone. 

Signal

Another popular messaging app for privacy and security is this open-source messaging application with end-to-end encryption, Signal. The open-source system makes the code public, making it hard for developers to sneak in spyware. Also, being open-source means that other programmers can occasionally check the code for bugs. 

Apart from end-to-end encryption, Signal comes with other security features, including self-destruct message feature and a screen security feature that makes it impossible to take screenshots of conversations. Signal encrypts, messages, calls, and any media files shared on the app. 

It supports the making and sharing of stickers and comes with group chat capabilities. It is everything you find on WhatsApp and so much more. 

Wire 

Developed by a company based in Switzerland, Wire comes in an easy to use and attractive user interface. It uses a secure open-source system, which makes it a secure and more private alternative to WhatsApp.

As proof of its safety and security, Wire is independently audited, and the results are always made public. This makes it transparent in its approach to privacy and security. On top of this, it utilizes end-to-end encryption for media sharing, chats, and calls on the app. It also comes with a self-destruct feature that allows users to set timers for chats to disappear. 

Wire avail a cloud backup option for users to backup their chats. You can use it for audio calls, video calls, and group video calls for up to 10 users. You can log into your Wire account on multiple devices, which is not available on WhatsApp. 

Even with the most private and secure messaging app, it is always a good idea to take your security measures a notch higher. 

3 ways to enhance your online privacy and security

Do not store private information in public sharing services

Whenever the phrase over sharing of information is used, most people think about social media sites and websites. However, saving private information like a list of your passwords and ID scans on platforms like google docs or dropbox can be considered over sharing.

Avoid using services meant for sharing to store any sensitive personal information.

Public Wi-Fi networks do not come with encryption services. This means that traffic on public Wi-Fi can be intercepted by anyone with a bit of hacking knowledge. To ensure your privacy, consider investing in a VPN to encrypt traffic from your device and keep your online footprint safe from prying eyes. 

The things that a VPN hides include:

⦁ Passwords.
⦁ IP address and location.
⦁ Online activity and search history.
⦁ Personal data shared over a network. 

Use unique passwords 

One of the easiest ways to become an easy target for hackers is to use the same login details for all your accounts. When one of your accounts is compromised, the hackers try to login to other services you subscribe to using the same login details. If they are successful, you can lose valuable data, your identity and even have your bank account wiped. 

Never use the same password for your accounts. Invest in a password manager to ensure you can use as many passwords as possible without worrying about losing or forgetting them. 

Online privacy is not about having something to hide but about having something to protect. The best way to stay secure is to use the safest apps and practice better online safety.