Have you ever given a second thought to what happens to a message you’re sending once you hit ‘send’? It is more than possible that your messages could be getting intercepted and read by third party users such as secret agencies. This is the age of internet surveillance and governments with the help of their intelligence agencies like to keep a closer eye on things by combing through our daily conversations. Attempts at gaining unauthorized access by the CIA and FBI have raised concerns among users about their privacy. As a result, many secure messaging sites have risen to the popularity that offers users privacy.
These apps use end to end encryption to secure your communication from your end to the receiver’s so that no one else can read it. Here are some of our top picks:
Wickr
Wickr is not just a messaging app, it’s a platform that gives control over security back to its users. Available for iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Windows, Wickr is used by people from all walks of life from an average person to world leaders, executives, and journalists. The reason is all that it has to offer in terms of privacy and control over your messaging.
The Wickr ID is anonymous to the company itself and anyone outside of your Wickr network. It allows you to send and receive messages, documents, pictures, audios, and videos securely without being tracked, intercepted, or monitored. Users can benefit from features like setting an expiration time on your messages or irreversibly deleting all messaging media from your devices. Wickr also removes all metadata from your messages and media.
Telegram
Telegram is popular for providing fastest secure messaging without sharing your data with any third parties. Available for Android and iOS, Telegram is extremely simple and easy to use. It can also be used on your desktop and regardless of how many different devices you use, messages can be seamlessly synced across all of them. The messaging tool is 100% free and offers no ads. Its cloud storage stores your data so that you don’t lose it. You can also group chat with up to 200 members and exchange messages, audios, photos, large videos, and documents with them securely and easily.
Signal
The open source app is available for both Android and iOS. However, a Chrome plugin enables users to use it on their desktops as well. Create groups, send free messages, share media and attachments of all kinds in complete privacy. Signal’s advanced end to end encryption ensures privacy for every single message you send. One of its most convenient features is that it doesn’t require separate logins or usernames or even passwords or pins. It uses your phone number and address book instead. Calls to anywhere in the world are free is well and secure messaging does not come with a compromise on speed.
We’ve all heard and most probably use this app as well. WhatsApp may not have the self-destruct messages or expiration time features other apps on this list can offer. However, WhatsApp too offers its more than one billion users end to end encryption so that their messages from one end to the other are secure and can not be read by anyone. The WhatsApp Web feature allows users to log in to any computer using their own mobile device and a web browser.
Note: Whatsapp can be breached if some installs a spy app on your phone!
Threema
Threema is a paid messaging app for Android, iOS, and Windows phone. It only costs $2.99, and that is a small price to pay for your privacy and security. The Threema app does not require any phone number, email address, or any kind of registering from you but rather provides you with a unique Threema ID instead. Once Threema has delivered your messages to the recipient, it immediately deletes them. The encryption isn’t limited to text messages only but applies to voice calls, group chats, and even status messages as well.
GoldenFrog Cyphr
Cyphr is another free and easy to use the encrypted messaging app for Android and iOS. Cyphr claims that all messages are encrypted, private, and 100% yours. Just create a free account, generate your public and private key pair, and start messaging. The public and private key pair are what ensures that only you can read your messages. The app stores minimal amounts of metadata about your messages and deletes it as soon as they are delivered.