Instant messaging apps are a critical part of our personal and professional communication channels. While they bring enormous convenience, there remain significant concerns about privacy and security. While certain application have a reputation for being safer than others, we’ll look at the safety features of five popular messaging apps: Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, and WeChat. We then try to discuss whether there is a clear preference for employees to use in corporate customer communication.

Chat Application Comparison:

• Telegram: Telegram offers end-to-end encryption, which means that only the sender and receiver of the message can read it. Additionally, Telegram allows users to enable two-factor authentication and offers the option to password-protect chats. It also has a feature called “Secret Chats” that automatically deletes messages after a certain time period, leaving no trace. However, Telegram’s encryption is not enabled by default, and the app has faced criticism for its lack of transparency regarding its security practices.

• WhatsApp: WhatsApp also offers end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication. However, it has been criticized for sharing user data with parent company Facebook. WhatsApp also uses metadata, such as the time and location of messages, for targeted advertising purposes.

• Signal: Signal offers end-to-end encryption and is considered one of the most secure messaging apps. It also allows users to verify the identity of the person they are chatting with using Safety Numbers. Signal also has a feature called “Disappearing Messages” that automatically deletes messages after a certain time period. Additionally, Signal does not collect any user data, making it a top choice for those concerned about privacy.

• iMessage: iMessage uses end-to-end encryption for messages sent between Apple devices, but it is not available for messages sent to non-Apple devices. Additionally, iMessage collects metadata such as phone numbers and IP addresses, which could be used for targeted advertising.

• WeChat: WeChat offers end-to-end encryption for chats but has faced criticism for sharing user data with the Chinese government. Additionally, WeChat collects a significant amount of user data, including location, browsing history, and device information, which is used for targeted advertising.

Safety Feature Comparison

1. End-to-end encryption: Telegram: Offers end-to-end encryption in its “Secret Chats” feature, but not by default for all chats. WhatsApp: Offers end-to-end encryption for all chats. Signal: Offers end-to-end encryption for all chats. iMessage: Offers end-to-end encryption for messages sent between Apple devices only. WeChat: Offers end-to-end encryption, but there are concerns about the Chinese government having access to user data.

• Two-factor authentication: Telegram: Offers two-factor authentication as an optional feature. WhatsApp: Offers two-factor authentication as an optional feature. Signal: Offers two-factor authentication as an optional feature. iMessage: Does not offer two-factor authentication. WeChat: Offers two-factor authentication as an optional feature.

• Server location: Telegram: Has servers located in various countries. WhatsApp: Has servers located in various countries, including Facebook’s servers. Signal: Has servers located in various countries. iMessage: Apple has stated that iMessage data is stored in servers in the United States. WeChat: Has servers located in China.

• Self-destructing messages: Telegram: Offers a self-destructing messages feature in “Secret Chats”. WhatsApp: Does not offer a self-destructing messages feature. Signal: Offers a self-destructing messages feature. iMessage: Does not offer a self-destructing messages feature. WeChat: Offers a self-destructing messages feature.

• Group chat size: Telegram: Allows up to 200,000 members in a group chat. WhatsApp: Allows up to 256 members in a group chat. Signal: Allows up to 1000 members in a group chat. iMessage: Allows up to 200 members in a group chat. WeChat: Allows up to 500 members in a group chat.

Which one should companies use for Employee Communication?

In terms of security features, Signal is the most secure option, as it offers end-to-end encryption for all chats, two-factor authentication, self-destructing messages, and has servers located in various countries. Telegram and WhatsApp both offer end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, but Telegram’s encryption is not enabled by default and WhatsApp has faced criticism for sharing user data with Facebook. iMessage is a secure option for Apple users, but its end-to-end encryption is limited to messages sent between Apple devices. WeChat offers end-to-end encryption, but there are concerns about the Chinese government having access to user data. Group chat size is also an important factor to consider, with Telegram allowing the largest number of members in a group chat. Ultimately, the choice of messaging app will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user or organization.

Overall, organizations have a duty to recordkeep and archive all communication, regardless of the chat application.