disappearing messages Archives

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Signal vs. WhatsApp — what’s the difference between these messaging apps?

Signal and WhatsApp both offer end-to-end encryption but differ significantly in ownership and data practices. WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which collects metadata about user interactions, while Signal is a nonprofit that collects minimal metadata and prioritizes user privacy. WhatsApp has a more user-friendly interface with features like chat history backups, group video calls, and business tools, whereas Signal focuses on privacy with features like "Sealed Sender" to hide sender identity and options to blur faces in photos. Users prioritizing privacy may prefer Signal, but practicality depends on their contacts' app usage. Users can choose to use both apps for different types of communication.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

What is messaging app Signal and how secure is it?

Signal was used for a secret group chat among senior U.S. officials, which included discussions about a military strike against the Houthi group in Yemen. This incident was revealed when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, was inadvertently included in the chat. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the leak as "one of the most stunning" in military intelligence history and called for an investigation. Signal has an estimated 40 to 70 million monthly users and is known for its end-to-end encryption, which ensures message privacy. However, experts warn that using Signal for sensitive national security discussions is unusual, as such conversations typically occur on secure government systems. There are concerns about potential legal issues with disappearing messages on Signal, particularly regarding official record-keeping. The ongoing debate over end-to-end encryption has seen companies like Signal resist governmental attempts to create backdoors for monitoring communications.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Atlantic journalist says top Trump officials inadvertently included him in Signal group chat discussing war plans. The messaging app, explained.

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, revealed that he was added to a Signal messaging app group chat containing senior Trump administration officials discussing U.S. airstrike plans against Houthi rebels in Yemen prior to the execution of the strikes on March 15. The group included figures such as national security adviser Michael Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance. Goldberg expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of using Signal for such discussions, noting that government policy prohibits employees from discussing classified information on messaging apps unless it's forwarded to an official account. The incident has prompted congressional Democrats to call for an investigation, labeling it an "outrageous national security breach."

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Messaging apps: a report on Australian Government agency practices and policies

Out of 22 surveyed Australian Public Service agencies, 16 (73%) use messaging apps for work-related purposes, while 3 (14%) prohibit their use and 3 (14%) are undecided. Policies governing messaging app usage often do not align with statutory obligations such as the Freedom of Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1988, and Archives Act 1983. Among the 16 agencies that allow messaging apps, only 7 shared their policies, with 5 addressing security classification needs and 6 lacking necessary archiving protocols. Furthermore, 5 agencies did not adequately meet FOI search requirements, and none required the use of official accounts or devices. Recommendations for agencies include developing clear policies on messaging app usage, addressing information management, FOI, privacy, and security, and ensuring preferred messaging apps properly manage personal information. The survey involved 25 agencies, with 22 responding, to assess messaging app usage and associated policies.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

5 Secure Messaging Apps For 2025

In 2025, five noteworthy secure messaging applications include: 1. Signal: Offers default end-to-end encryption, collects minimal user data, has an open-source codebase, and recently introduced usernames for enhanced anonymity. 2. Session: Operates on a decentralized network with end-to-end encryption, does not require a phone number or email for registration, and uses onion routing for metadata protection. 3. WhatsApp: Utilizes end-to-end encryption, offers features like disappearing messages and encrypted backups, but has concerns regarding metadata collection. 4. Wickr: Features military-grade encryption, a zero-knowledge architecture, self-destructing messages, and enterprise-level functionality. 5. Viber: Provides end-to-end encryption, hidden chats secured by PINs, and secure group video calls, making it suitable for both personal and professional use.

AppWizard

November 14, 2024

WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype banned by NatWest for staff communication; here’s why

NatWest Group has banned the use of messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype on all company devices in the UK as part of a strategy to ensure employees communicate solely through approved channels for official business. This decision aims to enhance compliance and accountability by curbing off-channel communications, which pose challenges to regulatory compliance and record-keeping. The policy, effective earlier this month, is intended to facilitate better oversight and maintain accurate records during internal investigations or audits. The financial sector is facing increasing scrutiny over communication practices, with regulatory bodies emphasizing the need for robust communication protocols to uphold transparency and accountability.

AppWizard

November 14, 2024

NatWest blocks bevy of messenger apps on staff devices

NatWest Group has formally banned a range of messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Meta's Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Signal, Viber, Snapchat, Discord, WeChat, and Line, to enhance regulatory compliance and communication oversight. This ban, effective from November 6, applies only to company-issued devices and is aimed at protecting the bank and its stakeholders from regulatory complications. The prohibited apps are seen as lacking proper record recovery options, which could hinder compliance documentation. Employees are discouraged from using personal devices for business communication on these platforms. The decision comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of banks' recordkeeping practices, highlighted by significant fines imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is also looking into financial institutions' usage of encrypted messaging apps. Approved communication channels at NatWest include Microsoft Teams, Viva Engage, Zoom, Outlook, Symphony Chat, and SMS, all of which allow for record retrieval.

AppWizard

November 13, 2024

NatWest has banned staff from using Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to communicate

NatWest has banned the use of instant messaging applications like WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger for internal communications in order to enhance compliance with regulatory standards. The bank has made these applications inaccessible on company-issued devices, emphasizing the need for record-keeping in line with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) regulations. While restricting these platforms for internal use, NatWest still allows WhatsApp for customer service inquiries. This policy change follows a penalty against Morgan Stanley for violating communication recording rules by using WhatsApp for trading discussions. The COVID inquiry has also highlighted risks associated with messaging apps, including mass deletions of important communications.

AppWizard

August 28, 2024

Telegram app getting banned in India? Here are 5 messaging app alternatives | – Times of India

Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France, leading to an investigation by India's Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) into the app's potential involvement in illegal activities like extortion and gambling. This scrutiny raises concerns about the app's future availability in India, with the possibility of a nationwide ban if found complicit or negligent in addressing illegal activities. Users are considering alternative secure messaging options, including Signal, WhatsApp, Brosix, Mattermost, and Microsoft Teams, each offering distinct privacy and collaboration features.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

Top 10 Messaging App Alternatives to Telegram

Instant messaging systems gained widespread adoption in the mid-to-late 1990s, evolving from basic platforms like AIM and ICQ to advanced applications such as WhatsApp. WhatsApp has a large user base and complies with regulatory standards, but some users have concerns about its privacy practices despite claims of end-to-end encryption. This has led to the popularity of alternatives like Telegram, which offers a “secret chat” feature with end-to-end encryption but faces scrutiny due to recent developments involving the European Union and its founder's arrest. Users have diverse needs in messaging apps, ranging from simple functionality to advanced features like large file sharing and group communications. The top ten alternatives to Telegram and WhatsApp include: 1. Signal: Launched in 2015, it has 40 million users by 2022, focusing on privacy with instant messaging, voice/video calls, and group chats limited to five participants. 2. Viber: Facilitates community engagement with groups of up to 1,000 members, offers end-to-end encryption, and allows calls to landlines and mobile numbers. 3. Google Chat: Launched in 2017, it supports one-on-one and group chats, requires invitations to connect, and integrates with Google services. 4. Slack: Popular for organizational communication since 2009, it supports various content types and requires integration for certain features. 5. Twitch: Primarily a live-streaming platform, it includes a chat feature ideal for building a following, especially in gaming. 6. Snapchat: Evolved from a photo-sharing app to a messaging platform known for disappearing messages, targeting a younger audience. 7. Microsoft Teams: A corporate communication tool supporting individual/group chats, integrating with Microsoft Office, and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 8. Mighty Pro: Allows users to create their own community-building apps, featuring live streaming and discussion forums. 9. Discord: Designed for gamers, it serves as both a forum and live-streaming platform, focusing on social interactions rather than business. 10. Geneva: Facilitates group video chats with customizable chat rooms and basic scheduling features.