What’s up with WhatsApp?

With the new WhatsApp policies due to take place soon (around the 15th May this year) and the controversy surrounding the privacy of its users, now may be a good time to start considering the pros and cons of other chat apps that can provide a similar service to WhatsApp should you suddenly find yourself questioning WhatsApp’s new policy updates.

The new WhatsApp policy updates

The new WhatsApp policy updates were due to be implemented in February but have since been extended until May. The decision to revise the start date of the new policy implementation can be attributed to the fact that WhatsApp users are concerned about where their details will be shared and what it will potentially be used for.

Although WhatsApp maintains its stance that private user information will not be shared on Facebook for purposes other than addressing business chats on Facebook, users are still understandably cautious and concerned in an age where digital safety is of paramount importance.

What are the other chat app options that are available?

The two most talked-about chat apps currently are Signal and Telegram but before you make the leap it’s always a good idea to stay informed about the pros and cons of each platform.

Pros of Signal

• Designed to be secure
• User-friendly
• Has an audio chat feature
• Is not linked to any other platform

Cons of Signal

• The user face can experience some technical glitches not related to user privacy
• Not very well known
• Your use of Signal is public knowledge, however, this does not affect anything relating to user privacy.

 Pros of Telegram

• End-to-end encryption allows for messages to be destroyed after a certain period of time.
• Secret chats can’t be forwarded.
• It has a cloud-based service where users can store text, images, documents, and files where this information is backed up and easily accessible by its users.
• You can chat with others even if they are not on your contact list.

Cons of Telegram

• No video calls can be made on telegram messenger.
• Incomplete offline and online status visibility functionality
• When joining Telegram your contacts are notified that you have joined which does not always bid well for user privacy.

While the privacy debate continues to gain momentum, there is still time to decide if you want to continue using WhatsApp, and there are alternatives available out there should you choose not to. As with all apps, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid any confusion afterward and to ensure your privacy stays the topmost priority for whichever platform you decide to use.