WhatsApp Alternatives That Don't Share Data With Facebook
If you are not comfortable with all the new WhatsApp changes, fear not. Here are a couple of WhatsApp alternatives that you can consider to migrate your messaging to...
1. Telegram
First on this is list is the open-source messaging app, Telegram. Not only does Telegram stack up pretty well against WhatsApp, but it also has innovative features that set it apart from many of its competitors.
2. Signal
The Signal Foundation, the company behind WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger's end-to-end encryption, has its own messenger: Signal Private Messenger. With the famous cryptographer, Moxie, and former WhatsApp founder Brian Acton at the helm, Signal commits to privacy.
Unlike WhatsApp, Signal encrypts even the file metadata from backup files, group calls, cellphone numbers, dates, and times of messages. In fact, it doesn't even show previews of your messages when your device is in multi-task mode and Signal lets users blur faces in photos.
3. Wickr Me
Designed as more of a collaboration tool than a messaging app, Wickr can share screens, locations, and your status alongside fully encrypted messages and memos. Wickr also supports direct integration with SalesForce, Jira, Zendesk, and other applications.
With encryption turned on by default, Wickr also does not require email addresses or phone numbers to set up an account. Having the goal of leaving no trace, Wickr does not log IP addresses and metadata. Users can also define message lifespans from three seconds to six days.
4. Threema
Being a fully paid messaging app, Threema often gets sidelined by free applications. However, its commitment to restraining access to metadata may well be worth the price for many users. Threema is committed to not storing user data so much that it does not even require a phone number or email address to set up.
With servers based in Switzerland, Threema is GDPR-compliant and does not have to store data by law. Threema permanently deletes messages right after they are received. With information managed locally, there is no way to decrypt connections.
