Protect Your Conversations: The Most Secure Messaging Apps
Jun 10, 2020 • Ina Louise Manto
The most frequently used messaging apps in the Philippines aren’t as safe as we think it is. Like everything else online, our data is being recorded and are vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands. We’ve rounded up some of the most secure messaging apps that will protect your private conversations. These applications use end-to-end encryption that protects your data from being read or altered by another person, other than the receiver and sender.
Signal (Free)
Unlike most messaging apps, privacy is not an option in Signal – it’s the standard. The app is independent and nonprofit, which means they aren’t affiliated with any major tech companies. They don’t allow in-app tracking, affiliate marketers, and ads. If you’re planning to ditch Facebook Messenger, switching to Signal wouldn’t be a problem as they have the same interface.
Riot (Free)
Riot is a good platform for both personal and business use. It allows you to chat, video call, voice call, exchange files, conduct conferences, and add bots. The app is very transparent as well; it’s open-source, which means anyone, can customize and edit it. The app also allows users to sign up anonymously and protect their identities.
Line (Free)
You would know the app as the messenger that has cute AF stickers and characters known as Line Friends but is has an interesting story behind it. Line was originally created as a disaster response to the Japanese tsunami in 2011. With all channels of communication affected by the disaster, Naver created the app as an online means of communication for its employees. It’s also the most popular messaging app in Japan! It also has end-to-end encryption, but you have to turn on the “Letter Sealing” option in your settings.
Threema ($2.99)
Threema is an independent Swiss company that has been providing secure messaging services since 2012. Although the app is paid, it’s just a one-time payment and you can already use all its features! You can even use it completely anonymously, especially for making encrypted voice calls.
Dust (Free)
Dust is a highly secure messaging app that gives you control of your digital footprint. Encryption is not enough; messages are deleted after 24 hours and can no longer be retrieved. Dust also features Stealth Search, a search engine that allows you to browse privately; similar to the feature provided in VPN apps. It also has the Watchdog feature that sends you instant alerts when your data has been compromised.
Pryvate (Free)
Pryvate has been working with organizations, individuals, and NGOs in providing safer internet and communication platforms since 2013. They use military-grade encryption technology to protect private messages of millions of independent professionals and business organizations worldwide.
KakaoTalk (Free)
KakaoTalk is South Korea’s most popular messaging app with over 150 million users worldwide. It has different features like messaging, video and voice calling, and even a calendar to sync your schedules. Unlike some of the apps on this list, encryption is not automatic in this app. To enable it, start a “Secret Chat” and enjoy your private chatting!
Telegram (Free)
You may remember Telegram as the app that went popular a couple of years ago for its fun stickers and games like Werewolf but the app is so much more than that. Like Kakao, you have to enable encryption through its Secret Chat feature. In these Secret Chats, you’ll also be notified when screenshots are taken! Telegram is a reliable encrypted messaging app; it helped thousands of protesters in Hong Kong mask their identities.
Have you used other encrypted messaging apps? Share with us below!
