private messaging Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

YouTube quietly revives in-app private messaging, six years after discontinuing it

YouTube is testing a revival of its in-app private messaging feature, nearly six years after it was discontinued due to low adoption rates. The new initiative allows users to share videos, Shorts, and live streams with friends and is currently limited to select markets and users aged 18 and older. Safeguards such as invite-only conversations, unsend options, and the ability to block or report inappropriate content are included. YouTube's initial messaging feature was launched in 2017 and discontinued in 2019. The renewed feature aims to enhance direct engagement for content creators and provide a streamlined way for regular users to converse about videos. The pilot phase is ongoing, with no timeline for a broader rollout announced yet. YouTube's move to reinstate private messaging aligns with current trends as it faces competition from platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

YouTube tests an in-app private messaging feature again

YouTube is reintroducing its private messaging feature, which was discontinued in 2019, to a select group of users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland. Users can share videos, including long-form videos, Shorts, and livestreams, within the mobile app through a full-screen chat interface accessed via the Share button. The feature supports one-on-one conversations and group chats, allowing users to respond with text, videos, or emojis. To ensure user safety, participants must send invites to chat, can unsend messages, block users, and report violations. YouTube will monitor messages for compliance with Community Guidelines.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Elon Musk Is Building X Chat — His Answer to WhatsApp and Telegram

Elon Musk is set to launch X Chat, a new messaging app designed to compete with WhatsApp and Telegram, featuring Bitcoin-inspired encryption and a commitment not to sell user data to advertisers. He revealed the project on The Joe Rogan Experience, explaining that his team has revamped the messaging infrastructure of the X platform to create this distinct app. The launch is expected in the coming months, and Musk emphasized that X Chat will operate without advertising hooks. Musk criticized WhatsApp for its data practices, asserting that it allows for potential privacy breaches. In contrast, he aims for X Chat to be a secure platform for sending text, files, and making audio and video calls, available both within the X platform and as a standalone app.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Privacy rankings of popular messaging apps in 2025

Direct messaging through chat applications is not as private as often assumed, with conversations and data potentially used for advertising, AI training, and shared with law enforcement. Users can also be targeted by impersonators and face risks from social engineering tactics. Incogni analyzed 15 messaging apps and social networks based on 18 criteria for privacy, resulting in a ranking where lower scores indicate better privacy practices. The overall privacy rankings are: - Discord: 10.23 - Telegram: 13.08 - Snapchat: 13.39 - Facebook Messenger: 22.22 - WhatsApp: 23.17 When considering practical categories, the rankings change: - Telegram: 4.23 - Snapchat: 7.72 - Discord: 8.14 - WhatsApp: 11.93 - Facebook Messenger: 13.37 WhatsApp received a penalty of 3.4 points due to potential use of chats for AI training. Applications that prioritize privacy typically have secure default settings, with Telegram and Snapchat leading in this aspect, while Discord, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp rank lower. For securing accounts against strangers, Telegram and WhatsApp are the most secure, while Discord ranks lower. In terms of compliance with government requests for data, Snapchat has the highest approval rate at 82%, followed by Meta’s services at 78%, and Discord at 77.4%. All platforms collect varying amounts of user data, with Telegram and WhatsApp collecting the least. Telegram is noted for its extensive privacy settings, while Discord, despite limited data collection, lacks robust default privacy settings. WhatsApp excels in protecting users from strangers and has a modest data collection profile. The analysis did not include niche privacy-focused messaging apps, and only WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption by default. Users are advised to use official mobile clients to avoid vulnerabilities, and third-party clients pose significant security risks.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Meta Rolls Out New Tools to Protect WhatsApp and Messenger Users from Scams

Meta has introduced new security tools for Messenger and WhatsApp to protect users from scams. WhatsApp will now provide warnings when users attempt to share screens with unknown contacts during video calls. On Messenger, a "Scam detection" feature can be enabled to notify users of suspicious messages from unknown sources. This detection operates on users' devices, maintaining end-to-end encryption, although messages sent for AI review will lose this status. If a scam is confirmed, users will receive information about common fraudulent schemes and options to block or report the account. Meta has also removed over 21,000 deceptive Facebook Pages and accounts and disrupted nearly 8 million scam-related accounts on Facebook and Instagram this year. Scams often involve cybercrime syndicates from Southeast Asia using psychological manipulation to lure victims into investment fraud through emotional connections.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Meta to shut down Messenger apps on Windows and Mac

Meta will phase out its standalone Messenger applications for Windows and Mac computers, with functionality expected to cease around December 15, 2025. After this date, users will be redirected to Messenger.com or Facebook.com. Users are advised to back up their messages and media, and utilize secure storage features for a smooth transition to web-based Messenger or mobile applications. In 2024, Meta launched a Progressive Web App (PWA) version of Messenger, which operates within a browser and offers similar functionalities to the desktop applications. The Messenger desktop app has also been removed from the Mac App Store. Meta is enhancing its Threads app with new features, including private messaging, to compete with other platforms. The company faces lawsuits related to youth mental health concerns and has faced backlash for using user AI chat data for ad personalization without an opt-out option.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

What Is XChat? Musk’s Private Messaging App With Blockchain-Style Encryption

XChat is an encrypted messaging and calling feature integrated into X (formerly Twitter), designed to enhance user privacy and functionality. It offers end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, versatile file sharing, and cross-platform audio and video calls without requiring a phone number for registration. Currently in beta testing for select paid subscribers, XChat aims to transform X into an “everything app” similar to WeChat, combining social networking, messaging, payments, and more while prioritizing user privacy. Developed using Rust, it employs public-key cryptography and may incorporate blockchain-inspired techniques for enhanced security. The platform seeks to merge social interaction with private communication and commerce, allowing for anonymous engagement. Challenges include ensuring reliable encryption, addressing metadata leaks, and gaining user trust to transition from established messaging apps.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Threads is rolling out group chats and expands messaging to the EU

Users of Threads can now engage in conversations with up to 50 participants, featuring personalized chat names and invite links. The platform has expanded its messaging capabilities to include group chats and media sharing options such as photos, videos, GIFs, and stickers. It has integrated privacy features, including a requests folder for unsolicited messages, options to disable direct messages from non-followers, and a hidden folder for harmful content. The messaging functionalities are being rolled out across Europe, with plans for a global rollout. Meta has announced further updates, including improved inbox management tools.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

The Best Private Messaging Apps for 2025

Privacy and security are distinct concepts; privacy concerns identifiable information, while security relates to data vulnerability. Protecting privacy is essential due to the interest of companies in harvesting data. Reliable messaging apps use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure messages, with varying implementations. Apps like Briar and Session operate on decentralized networks and prioritize user privacy, while Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp have different levels of security features. Signal and WhatsApp provide E2EE for personal chats, but Telegram only offers it for "Secret Chats." Business accounts on WhatsApp lack encryption. Signal is a nonprofit that does not sell user data, while Telegram operates for profit and has faced criticism for privacy enforcement. Briar and Session allow anonymous communication without personal data. Law enforcement can access messages through various methods, but apps like Signal and Telegram are resistant to inquiries. WhatsApp is the most widely used app, while Telegram and WhatsApp offer more social features but come with risks. All three services support voice and video calling, with varying reliability. Signal is highlighted as the best option due to its strong encryption and commitment to user privacy.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Russia curbs WhatsApp, Telegram calls to ‘combat criminals’

Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, announced restrictions on calls made through WhatsApp and Telegram to combat criminal activities. The agency claims these messaging apps have become primary channels for fraud, extortion, and recruitment for subversive actions. Russian security services allege that Ukraine uses Telegram for recruitment and sabotage. The government seeks greater control over user data for investigations into fraud and terrorism. Restrictions will be lifted once the platforms comply with local legislation. Telegram stated it actively prevents misuse of its platform, while WhatsApp expressed concerns over the implications of these restrictions on user privacy and security.