When it comes to messaging communication, such as SMS or text, privacy and security are crucial. There are several messaging applications that offer enhanced privacy and security features, such as end-to-end encryption, auto deletion, voice, chat, file support, and many other great features. Messaging applications work great for private personal connection and for accommodating business features with group messaging, white board and conferencing. They are equally great for supporting free speech.
How private is your communication?
There is a vast difference between data security and privacy, but often the line is blurred between the two. For example, are you aware that Facebook retains and archives everything exchanged through Facebook messenger? It has also been reportedly used for targeted advertising, profiling and censorship. The same has been reported with certain mobile carriers as well. More importantly, user data is not isolated to each individual application, but often shared amongst several of their partners. We review some of these privacy concerns in Email Privacy & Security Tips.
The following lists a few platforms that offer secure and private communication, along with some of their many great features.
Signal
Signal (signal.org) is a cross-platform centralized encrypted messaging service, allowing you to share text and voice messages (photos, videos and other file types) for free. Signal uses your phone’s data connection so you can avoid SMS and MMS fees, while offering end-to-end encryption by default. They offer other privacy features, such as self-destructing (auto delete) messages and more. They have mobile and PC applications available, which allow for you to sync across multiple devices. It has become a preferred method for all forms of text and secure/private communication.
Telegram
Telegram (telegram.org) is a great messaging app that attempts to combine email and SMS in one platform. It’s free and offers voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption. They support multiple file types for sending/receiving as well. One great feature, is the ability to create groups for sharing information, which has become a great platform in supporting free speech and bypassing censorship. They have business features accommodating small teams to large groups, for messaging, calls and file sharing. Telegram also has a saved feature, allowing you to essentially archive information for later retrieval with excellent search capabilities.
Confide
Confide (getconfide.com) is another great contender, offering encrypted, self-destructing and screenshot proof messages. If someone attempts to capture the message, it’s blocked while alerting the other user, which is a nice feature for strictly confidential communication. When reading the messages, it auto expands line by line while auto deleting prior lines. They have essentially taken a digital approach to simulate in person communication.
Wickr
Wickr (wickr.com) is outstanding in their security, encryption and in their support on privacy, the basis of a fair, safe and secure society. They have a free option, offer encryption with auto deletes, and more. They do not collect or monetize any of your data. They offer applications for both mobile and PC. However, they have recently been acquired by Amazon, something that may require additional research for possible changes as it pertains to privacy.
These are a few of our favorite secure messaging applications. When brainstorming over business concepts, ideas and inventions, we highly recommend using a secure, private and/or encrypted channel.
