Telegram Cloud Chats are not end-to-end encrypted and, along with their decryption keys, are stored in numerous cloud data centers worldwide. Currently, Telegram has two levels of chat functionality: Cloud Chats and Secret Chats. But constant privacy policy updates (opens in new tab), government lawsuits to divulge user data, and the association with its parent company, Facebook, leave users suspicious about its commitment to privacy.Īnother popular messaging app, Telegram (opens in new tab), has every feature imaginable, including Telegram Channels that allow anyone to broadcast messages to an unlimited audience. WhatsApp (opens in new tab) has an existing user base that far surpasses any other messaging app. E2E encryption means that no one, not even the app developers, can read your messages or view your photos or other media. Signal’s primary security feature is its all-encompassing end-to-end encryption technology. But, of course, the downside is more susceptibility to typos as autocorrection may not be functional.

You can even turn on the incognito keyboard mode, which ensures that your keyboard does not learn from your typing style and commonly used words don’t get added to your personal dictionary. From asking to enter your PIN every time you open the app to encrypting your stickers and emojis, it’s clear that Signal takes user privacy seriously.

The lack of ads and trackers helps keep Signal secure (Image credit: Signal) Security