Telegram provides a similar QR code, but you can also use your phone number and an SMS verification code. Signal has an in-app QR code for linking other devices. This step is optional, but recommended, with Telegram and can be found under Settings > Privacy & Security > Passcode Lock.īefore you can enable a desktop version of either Signal or Telegram, you must set up your account via the mobile app. Signal then requires you to create a PIN. You'll be asked whether you want to enable app permissions, such as access to your contacts. You can use an alias or, with Signal, an emoji. (In some cases, Telegram will call you with the code instead.)īoth platforms require a first name to finalize your profile, but neither require that name to be your real name. The installation process for both apps is relatively simple: Download the software for your preferred platform, register using your phone number, and enter the verification code received via SMS. Linux ( Debian-based distros for Signal, 32-bit and 64-bit versions for Telegram) Signal vs. Both Signal and Telegram are available on the following platforms: Telegram has a slight edge in this category, with a Chrome browser extension and a fully web-based option. The brothers no longer live in Russia and even though their company is based in London, many of its central operations are in Dubai. While Signal is owned by a non-profit foundation, Telegram was founded by the Russian billionaires Pavel and Nikolai Durov who also created the country’s largest social network, VK. For those who are concerned about tech companies snooping on their private conversations, Signal once again proves to be the better choice. That matters when the authorities show up at Telegram’s facilities with a search warrant.Īlthough you can start Signal chats by typing in another person’s phone number, Telegram requires access to your contacts before you can message anyone. In contrast, Telegram’s metadata may include your IP address (which can give away your location) as well as who you are talking to and when. Signal generally only stores the date on which you created your account as well as the last time you connected. Signal also collects far less data on users than Telegram does. Still, the paper added that “further investigation” is needed “in order to deem this protocol suite definitely secure”. However, the consensus seems to be that the latest version is more secure than MTProto 1.0 (PDF).Īccording to an academic research paper published in 2020, Telegram’s MTProto 2.0 protocol is fundamentally sound. Many security experts have stated that Telegram’s " homegrown encryption technology" has a limited track record compared to Signal's. The interface is similar to iMessage and quite easy to grasp.For its encrypted Secret Chats, Telegram uses its own MTProto 2.0 protocol which is open source on the client side. Thus, nobody can message you unless you don’t want to be connected with them. You can initiate messages to contact by sharing your Olvid ID via a QR code or receiving a message request. You don’t require a phone number or email to set up the app. With a focus on privacy, Olvid offers end-to-end encrypted. Olvid is another open-source secure messaging app that comes loaded with features like any other messaging app out there. Install: Android, iOS, Windows PC, macOS, Web (Free) 8. All in all, while on paper, WhatsApp remains quite secure, the owner’s controversial stand on privacy makes it a less appealing choice among privacy-minded users. In addition, the company is implicated in giving customers’ data to intelligence agencies. Next, WhatsApp is owned by Facebook which is a major point of concern. The live message feature is unique and can be quite useful. You don’t need to send the message at all. Interestingly, this feature allows the person you are communicating with to read messages that you’ve not sent! Without making this too confusing, this feature works by allowing the other person to read the messages that you are typing. Leaving the technical jargon behind, SimpleX Chat offers privacy features such as an incognito mode which generates a random username to chat with a contact.Īnother great feature that’s included in this secure messaging app is Live message. It consists of different components including SimpleX Messaging Protocol, TLS protocol, and more. This private messaging app uses its proprietary platform called SimpleX. It claims to be the first messaging app that has no user IDs. One of the recent secure messaging apps that has entered the scene is SimpleX Chat. Attachments only up to 10MB are supported.
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