However, end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default on Telegram. To get it, you'll have to switch to a Secret Chat mode. You can set messages to self-destruct, share videos and documents and participate in group chats of up to 200,000 users. (Yes, Telegram really does support group chats that large.) However, chats with more than two participants won't be end-to-end encrypted.
Viber launches secret chats to go beyond encryption
A caveat? Telegram uses its own custom MTProto encryption rather than a more proven system. The consensus among information-security experts is that aside from its group chats, Telegram may not be very secure (opens in new tab), although the FBI doesn't seem to have figured out a way to break in (opens in new tab). Here's our guide on how to use Telegram.
WhatsApp is the most popular texting app in the world with over 2 billion users, which means that if you need to text someone, there's a pretty good chance that they are already using WhatsApp on either iOS or Android. Among its many features, WhatsApp supports free texting, photos, videos, file transfers, voice messaging, and video chat. It does that with full end-to-end encryption, as well. And because you can have group chats with up to 256 participants or video calls with four people, it can accommodate plenty of communication scenarios.
Viber isn't as well known in the US, which means you might struggle to get other users to install it on their iOS or Android device. Even so, it's a well-rounded text messaging app that can handle the full range of communication needs. You can use it for text chats with up to 250 users at once, as well as make voice and video calls with up to 40 simultaneous participants. Viber features full end-to-end encryption for all text and calls, and you can exchange secret keys with select contacts for enhanced security. With a Viber Out subscription, you can also use the app to make calls to any landline or mobile phone number, even if that person doesn't have a Viber account.
Messenger is Facebook's messaging service, though it's a standalone app for iOS and Android, and you don't even need to be a Facebook user to take advantage of it. Even so, it earns much of its popularity due to its connection to Facebook and the fact that it's convenient to message while using the social media platform. Messenger supports group texts with up to 150 users at once, and you can also send voice and video messages. And while conversations aren't encrypted by default, you can switch to Messenger's "secret" mode, which applies end-to-end encryption to your text messages.
The secret chats feature builds on the same concept, but the feature applies to entire conversations rather than just single messages. As VentureBeat reports, Viber's upcoming secret chats will enable whole conversation threads to self-destruct, whether they're making up a group chat or a private chat with a friend. Users can pre-set the self-destruct timer and rest assured that their conversation won't leave a trace.
The secret chats feature will apparently be available in addition to the hidden chats option Viber already offers, which allows users to protect their conversations with a PIN. The new option will just add more options for privacy, letting users choose whether they want to store PIN-locked conversations or have chats disappear altogether.
Even better, Viber is not only adding screenshot alerts to warn users when others are capturing a photo of the secret chat, but it also allows users to block screenshots altogether. Worthy of note here, however, is that only Android users will be able to prevent others from taking screenshots of secret chats, as the iOS platform doesn't allow this option. Nevertheless, Viber users on iOS will still get notifications when others grab a screenshot of the secret chat.
VentureBeat says that Viber secret chats will roll out for both Android and iOS later this week, but a more specific release date is not available. Viber has yet to make an official announcement in this regard, but it will most likely offer more details when it actually releases the new feature.
News of the secret chats feature comes hot on the heels of Viber's new in-app shopping feature, which allows users to enjoy a shopping experience straight in the chat window. Major brands such as Macy's are already on board and users can search for goods and share with friends without having to leave Viber.
Telegram said in a blog post that the voice calls are based on the same end-to-end encryption methods as its Secret chats feature, but says it has introduced a new "key exchange mechanism" to make sure calls are even more secure.
Secret chats allow you to send Viber messages with a self-destruct option. Once a friend or contact has seen and read the message in a secret chat, it is automatically deleted. You can select how soon the message should be deleted after being seen.
Viber offers end-to-end encryption for group chats as well. So you can talk to an entire group of contacts with the peace of mind that no outsider can access the chats. That being said, Viber encryption does not cover public chats and community discussions.
All secret chats in Telegram are device-specific and are not part of the Telegram cloud, meaning that you can only access messages in a secret chat from their device of origin. If your device is safe, your secret chats are safe as well.
Telegram chats are not encrypted by default, neither are groups, channels, and so on.Whatsapp is probably a backdoor. Even though the encryption is applied, they comply with the requests from authorities to provide encryption keys.
I have read that Whatsapp and (fb)Messenger can generate new encryption keys, for the purpose of giving the company access to all of your content (chats and files). -secure-mobile-messaging-apps-3629914/ Although that page seems to contain many errors (as if it was written with outdated info but the date-stamp changes to keep it in current search-engine results), I do recall, however, reading this about Whatsapp a year ago from other sources as well.
A key feature of Telegram is that it provides its users with two layers of secure encryption. Both private and group cloud chats support server-to-client encryption, while secret chats benefit from client-to-client encryption. In both instances, messages are encrypted. Telegram has recently gained popularity for organizing protests largely because it allows large chat groups of up to 10,000 members. This has in turn drawn the attention of state actors.
Yes, our beloved Facebook messenger also supports end-to-end encryption. All you need to do is enter a regular chat with someone=> open the Options tab in the top-right corner=> select Go to secret conversation. This will enable an encrypted chat with the same person.
The end-to-end encryption will include all apps and services of Viber like texts, voice and group chats."Our users will be able to securely communicate across all of their devices through end-to-end encryption," chief operating officer (COO) Michael Shmilov wrote in a blog post. "We have been working on this for a long time and are proud that our users can confidently use Viber without fear of their messages being intercepted - whether it is in a one-to-one or group message, on a call, on desktop, mobile or tablet," he added.
Telegram is another private and secure instant messaging app launched in 2013 with more than 500 million active users per month. Its main security and privacy feature is end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls and voice chats in groups. Other privacy features include secret chats, self-destructing messages, videos, and chat locking. Following is the only information the Telegram app will provide upon request from a law enforcement agency and includes no message content:
The WeChat archiver, for example, runs in the background without any user intervention for its operation. If an international client outside China wants to connect to WeChat, TeleMessage provides that facility as it owns a Chinese ICP (Internet Content Provider) license. It can capture voice calls and monitor text messages using the standard WeChat interface and encryption. It also uses a WeChat connector to connect with servers in Tencent and captures the communications directly from those servers in China. Then TeleMessage will upload the captured data to an enterprise archive of the company, and it provides end-to-end encryption from the mobile to the enterprise archive.The same chats and call recording capability is availiable for WhatsApp as well.
The service offers end-to-end encryption in its secret chats, but you have to start these manually. If you forget to start one, or someone else begins a non-secret chat with you, it doesn't enjoy the same privacy protections.
Viber hidden chats cannot be viewed from the main messaging menu. You have to enter a chat with the desired user and set up a secret PIN. Only then will you be able to hide your messages, and nobody will be able to see them.
When it comes to privacy, it's hard to beat Signal's offer. It doesn't store your user data. And beyond its encryption prowess, it gives you extended, onscreen privacy options, including app-specific locks, blank notification pop-ups, face-blurring antisurveillance tools and disappearing messages.
All secret chats in Telegram are device-specific and are not part of the Telegram cloud. This means you can only access messages in a secret chat from their device of origin. They are safe for as long as your device is safe in your pocket.
Remember that Telegram secret chats are device-specific. If you start a secret chat with a friend on one of your devices, this chat will only be available on that device. If you log out, you will lose all your secret chats. You can create as many different secret chats with the same contact as you like.
If you log out, you will keep all your cloud messages. However, you will lose all your Secret Chats and all messages inside those secret chats when you log out. 2ff7e9595c
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