For business communication, messengers on smartphones are being used more and more often. One alternative to WhatsApp: Signal! The app Signal is also recommended by data protection organizations and security experts. Its functions and operation are comparable to WhatsApp.
I will introduce Signal to you in more detail below.
Similar to WhatsApp, Signal allows you to send messages, make audio and video calls via your smartphone, and transmit documents and pictures stored on your smartphone. You can also take and send pictures from within the app via a photo feature. You won’t have any problems with the app’s operation if you’ve been using WhatsApp so far – download the app and get started!
WhatsApp = Facebook
WhatsApp is very common as a messenger. However, what has always bothered me is its proximity to Facebook and how they handle data. By using WhatsApp, you agree that the Facebook group can use all your data and also share it. That is not acceptable to me, neither privately nor for business.
Secure data encryption
The encryption of the data is done via end-to-end encryption – this means that the provider cannot read the communicated data on its server. With the messenger service WhatsApp, on the other hand, the meta data is transmitted unencrypted. Conversations are also encrypted using the Signal protocol, encoded with Opus and transported with RTP.
Signal’s source code is publicly available on the developer platform Git-Hub, which creates trust (even though this makes it easier to identify and exploit gaps). With the Android version of Signal, SMS can also be sent and received.
More information and download
Signal is an independent, non-profit organization. The app is free, but the provider is happy to receive donations. The app is available for Android and iOS devices, as well as a desktop variant for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. You can download it from the respective app store and also directly here.
Conclusion: For business, Signal is more professional than WhatsApp – and a clear signal to your communication partners that you take data protection seriously. I’ve also been using Signal for a few weeks now. I was amazed at how many acquaintances I could already meet there.