Group chats Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

X Launches XChat Beta: Elon Musk’s Bold New Messaging Platform with Encryption and Disappearing Messages

Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a new messaging platform currently in beta testing for select users, primarily those subscribed to X's paid service. XChat aims to enhance user interaction on X (formerly Twitter) and includes features such as group chats, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, an option to leave messages unread, and a four-digit passcode lock. The launch of XChat coincides with the suspension of a previous encrypted direct messaging service that failed to gain traction. XChat represents a strategic shift towards a more sophisticated messaging framework, aligning with Musk's vision of creating an 'everything app' that integrates social media with secure communication. The success of XChat will depend on user adoption and its integration with existing platform functionalities.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

WhatsApp may soon let you take a break without deleting your account (APK teardown)

WhatsApp is set to introduce a new "Logout" feature in its beta release (version 2.25.17.37), allowing users to log out of their accounts on their primary phones without deleting their accounts. This feature will be found in the app's Account settings and will offer two options: one that logs users out while keeping all data and preferences intact, and another that erases all data, similar to uninstalling the app. The "Logout" feature is currently marked as "Internal," indicating it is still under testing.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Decentralized Messenger Session Goes Live on Arbitrum With $SESH Token Launch

The decentralized encrypted messenger app, Session, is launching its token, $SESH, on May 21st, 2025, coinciding with the mainnet launch of the new Session Network after a testing phase. Session has over one million monthly active users and operates on a specialized DePIN network with more than 2,000 nodes, ensuring user privacy and anonymity. The total supply of $SESH is capped at 240 million, with an initial release of up to 80 million tokens at the Token Generation Event (TGE). Users can stake 25,000 $SESH tokens to operate a Session Node, ensuring network integrity. The application emphasizes minimal metadata collection and offers features like emoji reactions, voice calls, and group chats. Session is now managed by the nonprofit Session Technology Foundation based in Zug, Switzerland.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov launches $50K viral video contest to expose WhatsApp’s ‘cheap copycat’ moves | – The Times of India

Telegram has launched a contest with a prize pool of 0,000 inviting participants to create a viral video that showcases Telegram's technological innovations compared to WhatsApp. The contest was announced on May 19, 2025, and submissions are due by May 26, 2025. It is open to global participants, with videos required to be in English and suitable for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The contest allows the use of AI tools and evaluates entries based on clarity, visual impact, meme potential, and virality. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly accused WhatsApp of smear campaigns and emphasizes Telegram's commitment to privacy and political neutrality, rejecting government requests to censor political content. The contest aims to expand Telegram's user base and engage content creators by promoting its unique features, which include end-to-end encrypted chats, large group chats, bots, and advanced privacy controls. Winners will be announced in June 2025.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Another messaging app used by the White House is in hot water

Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny for using TeleMessage, an app that has recently experienced a security breach resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including direct messages and group chats. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including Waltz, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, were reported to have used the app. A photograph captured Waltz during a Cabinet meeting appearing to use TeleMessage to access Signal messages, raising concerns due to his previous controversy involving a chat room on Signal that included a journalist. The security vulnerabilities of TeleMessage have been criticized, particularly as it lacks the robust encryption features of Signal. The app was initially marketed as a solution for preserving messages for government record-keeping, but its reliability has been questioned.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

WhatsApp users ‘refuse’ to use app after new Meta AI tool can’t be removed

The Meta AI logo, a blue circle with pink and green hues, has launched for users in the UK on WhatsApp, allowing them to interact with a chatbot for assistance. A Meta representative stated that users can utilize Meta AI to settle debates or ask questions while ensuring privacy, as it can only read shared messages and keeps personal messages end-to-end encrypted. Users are encouraged to explore its capabilities, but reactions have been mixed, with some expressing a desire to remove the feature. Many users feel reluctant to abandon WhatsApp due to its widespread use among their contacts. Recent updates to WhatsApp include improvements to group chats, events, calls, and new functionalities like adding music to statuses and customizing chat themes.

AppWizard

April 13, 2025

WhatsApp users unable to send messages and connect to app amid online outage

A significant WhatsApp outage is affecting users in the UK and other countries, with a surge in complaints reported. Downdetector indicates that around 49% of users are unable to send messages, and 46% are experiencing issues with the app. The outage has escalated, with over 100 users in the UK reporting problems, up from six an hour earlier. Users from India and the United States have also reported disruptions, with over 3,000 complaints in India, primarily related to message-sending issues. Complaints have been voiced on social media from users in Canada, Brazil, and Singapore. Some users are also facing challenges with other Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This outage follows a previous incident earlier this year that affected at least 68,000 users.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

Signal App reveals need for more secure channels

Mike Waltz, national security adviser under President Trump, accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a confidential military chat on Signal that involved senior officials discussing imminent U.S. military strikes on Yemen. This incident raised concerns about the administration's secure communication practices, particularly as it involved sensitive military strategies. Despite Signal's encryption, critics argue that public group chats should not be used for classified discussions, highlighting vulnerabilities in communication protocols. Secure rooms are designed for classified discussions with strict protocols, which were not followed in this case.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp: Which Encrypted Messaging App Should You Choose

Telegram, a cloud-based messaging platform, stores necessary operational data, including metadata such as IP addresses. In 2024, Telegram updated its privacy policy to comply with law enforcement requests for user data with valid legal documentation, leading to the fulfillment of 900 requests from U.S. authorities affecting 2,253 individuals. The platform has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 incident exposing data from approximately 42 million Iranian users and a 2019 vulnerability that allowed Chinese agencies to identify protestors in Hong Kong. Telegram features public channels without end-to-end encryption and offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, limited to the device of origin. Automatic message deletion is available with a minimum interval of one day. While the client applications are open-source, the server-side code is closed-source, requiring user trust in the company to protect data. Metadata collection continues despite end-to-end encryption. Telegram operates on a freemium model, with basic features available for free and a paid tier for additional functionalities. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store at no charge.

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.