The WhatsApp dilemma over security challenges users to smarten up
By Lorraine Ng
It has been an unpleasant start to the new year for messaging app, Whatsapp. Millions of Internet users around the world are now considering switching from the encrypted messaging platform to other alternative messaging platforms.
This comes as the mainstream messaging app asked more than two billion users to agree to new changes regarding privacy and security. If they fail to agree, they will no longer be able to use the app, triggering concern over the data it shares with its parent company, Facebook.
According to the South China Morning Post, the founder and CEO of Britain-based technology firm Digital Barriers, Zak Doffman, asserts that WhatsApp has gathered far more metadata from its users than we ever imagined - more information that could be taken from a user’s device, such as contact lists, location and purchase history, than many of its competitors and rival apps such as Signal and Telegram.
What are Signal and Telegram and why are they different?
Signal and Telegram are both free of charge apps which have the end-to-end encryption many people want in order to keep their information private.
Signal is said to be one of the most private messaging platforms. Users can securely send and receive all kinds of messages and files with other Signal users. It is also said that the company collects none of its users’ metadata, making it one of the most popular alternatives to WhatsApp.
Another frequently suggested messaging platform, Telegram, is also seeing more user downloads every day. One of the benefits of the app is that users won’t lose a large amount of data unless they send or download files with bigger storage units. For users who like to personalise their chat backgrounds on WhatsApp, Telegram can provide the same service with an array of background choices.
What are the reactions of users over the revised policy of WhatsApp?
English Teacher Ms Vanessa Scully commented grimly that she doesn't like the idea that WhatsApp is linked with Facebook. Year 8 student, Serena Leung, also expressed her uneasiness because she fears private information could be leaked out to other social media companies. Another Year 8 student, Charmina Wong, a frequent user who says she needs WhatsApp to “keep in contact with friends and family,” is also slightly concerned. She believes that “data transferred to Facebook can be accessed by staff or even hackers.”
Are users exploring other messaging platforms?
Scully explained that she has had the experience of using other messaging platforms such as WeChat when she was still working overseas. She added that she “would consider switching platforms,” if someone showed her something with the same functionality and better encryption/privacy. Leung straightforwardly replied and said she is “planning to use Signal to message people.” On the other hand, Wong says she is not in a hurry to change to other messaging platforms just yet.
What are the major factors to take into consideration when changing apps? There are some questions to ask yourself:
Is the new app user-friendly?
Does the app suit your everyday needs?
Are there frequent stoppages or problems users experience with the app?
Does the app offer better privacy protection?
Everyone has a choice to find the app best tailored to their needs and to become a smart technology user.
Photo created by Lorraine Ng