Privacy at a Glance
| App | E2EE by Default | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Signal | Yes, everything | Non-profit |
| Yes, chats and calls | Meta | |
| Telegram | No, only Secret Chats | Telegram FZ |
Signal: The Privacy Champion
Signal encrypts everything by default, collects almost no metadata, and is run by a non-profit. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for private messaging.
WhatsApp: Private and Practical
WhatsApp also encrypts all chats and calls end-to-end. Its downside for purists is Meta ownership and metadata collection, but its huge user base makes it the most practical secure option.
Telegram: Features Over Privacy
Telegram is feature-rich with big groups and channels, but regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default. Only its Secret Chats are, and they must be started manually.
Which Should You Choose?
For maximum privacy, choose Signal. For privacy plus everyone already being on it, choose WhatsApp. For large communities and features, Telegram is strong, but treat normal chats as not fully private.
FAQ
Is Signal really more private than WhatsApp?
Yes, mainly because it collects far less metadata and is run by a non-profit.
Are Telegram chats encrypted?
Only Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted. Regular cloud chats are not.
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