06-23-2020 , 09:35 PM
Quote:From WhatsApp to Snapchat, messaging apps provide a free and easy service to communicate with friends, family, and co-workers.
Before you search on the app store willy-nilly or ask your friends about their messaging app of choice, be sure to take a step back and examine whether your choice can adequately guard your privacy and security. One way to determine that is if the app offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
Without encryption, private messages can be read by the company behind the app, as well as third parties such as governments who like to collect private data on their citizens. Not even using the best VPN would help you if you’re using a messaging service that stores identifiable metadata about your conversations on its server (like Threema and Wire, reviewed in this list).
Encryption makes societies freer and, thankfully, several messaging apps use E2EE to prevent anyone except you and the intended recipient from reading the message’s contents.
What is encrypted messaging?
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of encrypting data that only allows the sender and receiver of the message to decrypt and read messages passed between them. More importantly, encryption prevents apps from storing copies of your messages on its servers, which would put them within reach of government authorities.
Apps that don’t have E2EE by default, if at all, as of writing are:
Snapchat
Kik
Google Hangouts
KakaoTalk
Line (opt-in E2EE)
Skype (opt-in E2EE)
Facebook Messenger (opt-in E2EE)
Telegram (opt-in E2EE)
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Privacy and security review of encrypted messaging apps
With many good options available, here’s our take on some of the most widely-used, and secure, messaging apps.
1. iMessage
Apple’s iMessage is only available on Apple devices, but it packs a punch with its security features.
The good
On top of offering end-to-end encryption between iMessage users, the app allows users to control how long the message stays up and how many times the recipient can view the message (This feature is only available to those who have iOS 10 and above).
The bad
iMessage is only available on Apple devices, meaning any message you send via iMessage to a non-Apple device will not be encrypted. One major security loophole is the option to backup your iMessages to iCloud. On the cloud, messages are encrypted by keys controlled by Apple, meaning that if your iCloud were ever hacked or subpoenaed, those messages could be revealed.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, is a big advocate for personal privacy, and iMessage seems to indicate that the company takes this commitment seriously. Just avoid storing your messages on web-based platforms like iCloud—toggle off messages in settings so they’re not stored on the cloud.
Would we recommend this app? Not really. While it is E2EE, you should avoid using iMessage if you’re communicating with people who do not have it on their devices. Avoid storing your messages on web-based platforms like iCloud as well.
With many good options available, here’s our take on some of the most widely-used, and secure, messaging apps.
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