After WhatsApp‘s new privacy policy has been revealed, consumers have started shifting from it to Signal app. Consumers are most afraid of their privacy being disturbed and for this reason, officials of Chandigarh Administration have also reached the shelter of Signal app.
Manoj Parida, Advisor to Chandigarh Administrator; Home Secretary Arun Kumar Gupta; DC Mandeep Singh Brar; Special Health Secretary Sarpreet Singh Gill; Municipal Corporation Commissioner KK Yadav; Chief Architect Kapil Setia; Tourism Department director Rakesh Popli; Chandigarh Housing Board chief engineer Rajiv Singla and other officials have started using the Signal app.
The debate over privacy has erupted in the country since the new WhatsApp notification.
However, these officials have not deleted their WhatsApp account yet. Moreover, principals of many colleges and schools have also switched to Signal app.
What is Signal?
Signal, an open-source encrypted app, has emerged as one of the most preferred alternatives to WhatsApp. It was created by Moxie Marlinspike, an American cryptographer. It is a messaging app through which, one can send messages, photos, videos or links and make audio or video calls. Signal is open source and its code is peer-reviewed, which means that its privacy and security is regularly checked by independent experts.
The specialty of this app is that it does not work for profits and there is no danger of the people’s privacy being disturbed. The chat backup is not sent to the cloud (online storage) and is saved in the phone. Another special feature of this app is that no one can take a screenshot of the chat. The old messages disappear by themselves and like WhatsApp, no one can add you by forming a group.
The Signal app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux, although you can only sign up via Android or iPhone. Once you have set up an account, you can link Signal to your iPad or your computer, and use the app even if your phone is switched off.
Is Signal better than WhatsApp? In terms of privacy features, Signal is better than WhatsApp. However, if you care about app features and who’s using the messaging app, then WhatsApp is ahead. The most important part of any messaging app are the people who use it. If your entire social circle is on WhatsApp, then no amount of features can make Signal more appealing.
