Maybe after reading this you will want to switch from WhatsApp to Signal.
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We all know that WhatsApp is the application of world’s most popular instant messenger And although she is not going through her best moment, we cannot say that she is dead, far from it.
For its part, Signal is growing due to recent announcements related to the privacy policy of the application owned by Facebook and public endorsements of important personalities such as Elon Musk among others.
These are the data that WhatsApp collects from you and Signal does not
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Now, millions of people are leaving WhatsApp to join other platforms, including Signal it is included Telegram. However, for many it is still an uncertain future.
What data WhatsApp collects from you, and how it compares to iMessage and Signal
If you are from the group that is not yet clear between the idea of Signal vs WhatsApp, this article is everything you were looking for, since we not only tell you some differences between the two, but we explain what is the data that each one collects from you for you to draw your own conclusions.
All the data that WhatsApp collects from you and Signal does not
WhatsApp and Signal have two very different approaches in what to Privacy & Security it means. On the one hand, WhatsApp is the most popular, fun and ideal application for socializing, while Signal focuses on taking care of your privacy and with a much more formal touch although not for that “Square”.
Therefore, we show you a comparison where you can know in greater detail each of the data that both Signal vs WhatsApp collect from you when using each of these applications.
These are the approaches of WhatsApp and Signal
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As you know, it’s no secret that Facebook-owned apps know us more than we do. Although it may seem like part of a horror movie, this is mainly due to the data that applications collect from us.
In the particular case of WhatsApp, the amount of data they obtain from each user is quite high and for many alarming, mainly because when making use of this platform of instant messaging, these granting permission to know:
- Phone number.
- User ID.
- Contacts.
- Name of your account.
- Advertising data.
- Shopping history.
- Approximate location.
- Phone number.
- Email.
- Product interaction.
- Bug reports.
- Performance reports.
- Payment information.
- Customer Support.
- Other user content.
As you will see, it is a fairly high amount of very personal information and important to which they have access. Opposite case, Signal focuses on its premise related to user privacy and boy do they take it very seriously.
Between the two instant messaging apps, which one collects the most personal data?
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If we make a comparison with respect to everything that both applications collect, we will see that Signal is the clearing “winner” in terms of privacy, since they only use the users’ phone number. Of course, here the differences between the philosophy of both platforms are fully evident.
Mind you, we can’t ignore that WhatsApp provides its users with some additional services such as:
- Payment methods.
- Know the different errors that you may experience, as well as your user experience when using the application.
- Possibility of creating massive video conference rooms for up to 50 people.
- Share animated or non-animated stickers in conversations.
On the one hand it is fine, however this makes Facebook has a lot of information about you, your usage patterns, personal data and more. But this is not all, since all those data is hosted on their servers and that is where the problem lies.
As opposed, Signal it also offers some unique features. Some of the ones we can mention are:
- Activate the confidential sender function that allows you to send messages to strangers without having to share your profile.
- You can use the typing indicator, as well as the read notifications and deactivate them so that no one knows when you are writing or reading the messages.
- Have the ability to redirect voice calls to Signal’s servers so that your IP is not revealed to the person or application that is calling you.
- Possibility of deleting messages after a certain time sent.
Obviously, the Signal goal is very clear and the way forward is that of the privacy and security. The platform is focused on fulfilling its unique purpose of communicate and protect your information. Simple but effective.
Which is better: WhatsApp vs Signal?
Everything will depend on what you are looking for. If we leave aside the security and privacy aspect, we can compare both platforms on three important points: interface, multimedia and user experience.
Interface
On the one hand we see that Signal is a more sober application compared to WhatsApp, although it does not stop offering the functionalities that are expected of any app instant messaging.
This is what the Signal interface looks like
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As to WhatsApp, have progressively incorporated different functions that make it visually more striking, such as animated stickers and QR codes.
Multimedia
In this section both applications are very well covered. On the one hand, Signal allows you to make calls and video calls in HD, send photos, audio, images, GIFs, files, contacts and even your location, always with great security and privacy.
This is how the WhatsApp interface looks
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WhatsApp has also become a very interactive tool for users through the incorporation of additional functions such as statuses or chat rooms, all without abandoning calls and video calls, sending photos, audio, images, GIFs, files , contacts and location.
User experience
The last point and one of the most important is related to the user experience. Here, we can say that WhatsApp is one step ahead of Signal since they constantly incorporate new functionalities that provide better usability and make it more intuitive.
The 9 best free messaging apps: there is life beyond WhatsApp
However, it is already possible to see how Signal does not want to be left behind and includes options such as blur faces in photos automatically and others that will make the app much more attractive in the very near future.
Now that you know more about both applications, the information they collect from you and some of their main differences, which one do you prefer?
Image | Unsplash I, Unsplash II
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