Recently, Whatsapp has restructured its privacy plan. According to the new policy, there will be sharing of users’ data with Facebook more regularly. However, it will not transmit users’ data to the advertisers. In addition, due to the encryption feature, it cannot read users’ chat messages.
Thus, Whatsapp users have the time till the 8th of February to accept these new clauses. As a result, users are swapping over to the Signal App.
Moreover, Tesla’s Chairman Elon Musk tweeted to motivate the users to use the Signal app.
What is Signal App & Who Invented It?
The Signal app is a safe messaging application introduced in the year 2014 in California. Moxie Marlinspike invented the Signal App. His other name is Matthew Rosenfeld. Presently, he is the CEO of the Signal-messaging app.
Whatsapp’s former associate Brian Acton and Marlinspike established the Signal Foundation. Acton has invested about $50 million to support the Signal App.
What are the Main Features of the Signal App?
Following are the main features that make the Signal app so unique:
Free Application:
You can download and use the Signal private messenger app for free. Do you know what is signal app used for? You can use this app to forward messages, videos, images, and links to your friends. Also, make personal audio and video calls as well.
It added a group voice and video calling feature in 2020. Consequently, you can make domestic and international video calls with a maximum of 8 persons (data charges are pertinent). You need a phone number to start using this app.
User-Friendliness:
Signal is a user-friendly application like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other trendy messenger apps. You will get the features like private messaging, group chatting, sending stickers, and file transmission. It allows group chats with around a thousand individuals.
Protection of Users’ Data:
You can remain untroubled, as Signal does not collect its users’ information. Further, it will not show any ads to the users. No prominent technology firm owns the Signal App. The partners of this app are not for minting cash like other messenger app companies. It receives contributions from other companies.
End-to-End Encryption:
Signal app has a general user interface. Nevertheless, it mainly concentrates on users’ privacy. Your messages in this app are wholly encrypted. It implies that only you and the person in chat can view the messages. The Signal owners cannot watch your conversations.
Open-Source App:
Signal is an open-source application. It means that the valid code of the app is available for the users free.
Why Choose the Signal App over WhatsApp?
Many of you must be guessing that is Signal app really safe or not. Then, have a look at the following privacy highlights of this app:
Involve Default Encryption Rule:
Signal has established its uninterrupted encryption policy. It indicates that the firm running the signal app cannot keep an eye on the conversations or save these on its server.
The Signal app is different from other messenger applications. Some apps offer coded messaging as a voluntary option. But Signal involves self-activated encryption rule.
Now, a query arises is Signal app better than whats app? The answer is that Signal is better than WhatsApp as the latter can retrieve your details such as IP number, status, and group info. WhatsApp provides nonstop encryption. But it does not hide the messages that get saved on its server.
Self-Fading Messages:
Another privacy aspect of the Signal app is its self-vanishing messages. It means that the conversations will get deleted after a specific time. This app will not collect any of your data.
Order to Testify:
Even if you take legal action over Signal Company to reveal what info it has of you, then it has no details of your Signal activities.
So, is Signal app really safe or not? Yes, as it can only disclose your contact number, account formation, and previous connectivity time. There is the encryption of your profile image and name over Signal.
But Facebook can expose details like your messages, complete name, and locations used for accessing FB, and more.
Local Storage:
All the data like chats, images, videos of the Signal App are saved locally on your cell phone. Thus, you can shift the data from one device to another.
Relay Calls:
The purpose of the ‘Relay Calls’ feature is to prevent disclosure of your IP number when a phone call takes place. But turning on this option will diminish the phone call attribute.
Enable/Disable Read Receipts:
You have the choice to enable or disable the read receipts option in the Signal app. It allows someone to notice when you have glanced at their messages.
Allow/Disallow Typing Indicator:
You can enable or disable the typing feature in Signal. It is to permit someone to know when you keypunched the message.
Disable Link Previews:
You can disable website links that you share with someone in the chat.
Set Security PIN:
You can keep your Signal account protected by using a security PIN. You need to enter this PIN each time you open your Signal App. So, do not forget this PIN as you cannot recover it if lost.
Screen Lock Option:
You can use your Signal account using the iOS device’s password, face ID, or touch ID. You can reply to message notices and arriving phone calls even when the screen lock option is on.
Related Article: How to find a Solution if your internet access is blocked
How to Download the Signal App on your Phone & Desktop?
Use Google Play to download Signal on Android and App Store to install it on the iPhone and iPad.
After that, initiate the app by entering your phone number. Also, allow it to read your contacts.
You can use the desktop Signal app by downloading it through the Signal Foundation’s site.
Conclusion
The Signal app is the first choice of the users since WhatsApp has announced its re-organized privacy rules. Thus, is Signal app better than Whats app? Yes, as it is collecting only the user’s phone number. And Whatsapp gathers users’ details like user ID, device ID, e-mail ID, contacts, payment details, contact number, and marketing information.
