After WhatsApp released its privacy policy, many concerns got raised. Though WhatsApp came with the intention to increase the quality of business advertisements and infrastructure, there is a sign of private data that can go to Facebook and its third-party apps. Hence, many users are seeking alternative platforms that can serve security and privacy. Many social messaging platforms will come into mind as an alternative solution to WhatsApp, including Viber, BridgeFly, Kik, etc. But, among them, Signal stands apart. Many can switch to Signal after getting an endorsement from one of the biggest tech-giant, Elon Musk. Hence, there is a need to understand the Signal Messaging app. Let’s get more information on this social messaging platform.
About Signal
The collaboration of Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger developed the Signal messaging app. This messaging app uses the Internet for communication and interaction. One can send all files possible with WhatsApp, including documents, images, videos, etc. Signal provides the best form of transparency because it is free and open-source. Hence, one can check the entire code to see the encryption, strength of privacy, etc. Signal uses mobile numbers or cellular identifiers for communication and delivers end-to-end encryption. Signal gets its reputation from renowned people of our time, including:
- Jack Dorsey
- Edward Snowden
- Laura Poitras
- Bruce Schneier
What is the level of encryption?
Signal has one of the most powerful state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption of our time. And, one can get the notion of it from the beginning of the conversation. It is the open-source Signal Protocol that gives sustainability to the user’s security. When you receive or send a message, it will show like a random character. If someone observes it, one will understand that it’s the encrypted key that is coming. But, after a few seconds, this encryption key changes to the original message, showing that each bit of a message has its importance. Even the stickers that are present in WhatsApp are having a high-level of encryption. For encryption, the Signal messaging app uses Double Ratchet Algorithm.
Group Video Chat Encryption
The RingRTC library in the Signal messaging app is a crucial element that ensures frame-by-frame encryption in the group video chat. It is one of the most sophisticated facilities provided in the Signal. However, there is one technical glitch in it. Signal at this moment doesn’t allow more than five people in the group to get involved in the video chat at a time. But, the developer team at Signal is working hard to increase the number of participants.
Concerns regarding Cellebrite
Many may say that the Signal messaging app faced the heat due to the Cellebrite (Israeli digital intelligence organization) news. But, as the famous saying “cometh the hour cometh the man,” Signal displayed its strength in terms of privacy and encryption. It was like a stunning issue when Cellebrite claimed to crack Signal’s encryption. Even BBC broke this news like a success for Cellebrite. However, Signal immediately appointed research to dig out more information and understand the possibility of this decryption. After a series of consolidated research and study, Signal came out on the public forum to display that there is no harm done by this digital intelligence company and Signal is still safe.
Hiding Identities
Signal has culminated the nuisances of hacking the precious data of any user. Some hackers use the profile picture to tap and get more user’s data from the public domain. But, that is not possible with the Signal messaging app. It is because these social messaging platforms allow the user to blur their picture and hide their identity. Hence, Signal ensures that no one can get a chance to use the profile pictures of other users with the wrong intention.
Love for Android
Signal messaging app has a special place for users having Android smartphones. Though Signal is compatible with Android and iOS, it gives one more unique Android platform feature. If someone uses the Android platform, they will be able to use Signal as their SMS tool. This feature is not available with the iOS platform as of now. However, one can speculate that Signal may bring this feature later in the future.
Signal Messaging App Features
- Group link or QR code for the invitation
- Storage management
- Font-size options
- Language options
- Link devices
- Mark as unread
- Broadcast media
- Pin or unpin chats
- Note to self for marking certain messages
- In-app notifications
- View once media for optimized storage space
- Typing indicators
- Link previews for other platforms
- Screen security with password or PIN
Some of the features mentioned above are unique and are not available with many other social messaging platforms, including WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Signal can be one of the most promising and prominent social messaging applications that deliver enhanced security and end-to-end encryption. There is ample space and respect for privacy. Signal works with the concept of “privacy-first” for the users. Hence, it can become the most trusted platform for many of its users. Signal will be the best answer to the recent WhatsApp privacy policy updates.
Eva winget is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2006. As a technical expert, Bella has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites.
ORIGIN: Signal Messaging App: A Solution to WhatsApp Privacy Policy
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