WhatsApp users, you have noticed in recent days that the app asks you to validate its new terms of use in order to continue to use its services for free. If you accept them, your personal data will be transmitted. You then give the right to Facebook (parent company of WhatsApp), Instagram and Messenger to recover some of them for advertising purposes: your phone number, your profile, your location, your contacts … The content of your exchanges They remain protected by the GDPR law (General Data Protection Regulation).
But is there an alternative to this instant messaging? Yes ! Her name is Signal. This competitor has seen an upsurge in downloads in recent days, especially since certain personalities, such as billionaire Elon Musk, have called on users to favor it. Some NGOs or associations also recommend it.
Why ? Because the Signal app, created by an independent, non-profit organization, is more transparent. It would therefore be the best application in terms of confidentiality.
Signal, how does it work?
This secure messaging system, available on Android and iOS, allows many to exchange written messages, but also to make audio or video calls, send files, etc. In short, it works very similar to that of WhatsApp. To register, all you need is a mobile phone number. No other data is requested.
If you are just getting started, adjust the settings offered by the application to suit your needs. You can thus deactivate acknowledgments of receipt (which allow users to see when messages have been read), activate ephemeral messages (which will disappear as soon as your friends have read them), display or not the notifications when a message is sent to you. sent, etc. It's your turn !
Read also :
⋙ 4 tips for using WhatsApp well on a daily basis
⋙ Configure WhatsApp properly to save storage space
⋙ How to send a message to multiple people on WhatsApp?