Comparing Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram Security
Many think their messaging client is not snooping on them, so I decided to do a deep dive into this matter, here are my findings, oh trust me it won’t stop me using whatsapp, but for anything work related Signal may become the default.
Choosing a secure messaging app is crucial for protecting your privacy and data. Here’s a comparison of three of the most popular messaging apps—WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram—with a focus on how secure they are and what data they collect.
Encryption and Security Features
| App | Default Encryption | Protocol Used | Who Holds the Keys? | Special Security Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end (E2EE) | Signal Protocol | Only sender/recipient | Encrypted backups, E2EE calls | |
| Signal | End-to-end (E2EE) | Signal Protocol | Only sender/recipient | Disappearing messages, open source |
| Telegram | Server-side (default), E2EE only in Secret Chats | MTProto (custom) | Telegram (default), users (Secret Chats) | Secret Chats, self-destruct, screenshot blocking |
- Signal: All messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default. The app is open source, with no cloud storage for messages, and offers features like disappearing messages and sender anonymity. Signal is widely regarded as the most secure mainstream messaging app.
- WhatsApp: Uses the same Signal Protocol for end-to-end encryption on all personal and group chats and calls. However, messages to business accounts may not be E2EE, and backups can be a weak point if not encrypted.
- Telegram: Only “Secret Chats” are end-to-end encrypted. Regular chats are encrypted between your device and Telegram’s servers, but Telegram holds the keys and could access your messages if compelled. Secret Chats offer additional privacy features like screenshot blocking and self-destruct timers.
Data Collection and Privacy
| App | Data Collected | Data Storage | Open Source? | Notable Privacy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usage data, contacts, device info, location, cookies | Encrypted backups (optional), Meta servers | Partially | Owned by Meta, collects extensive metadata | |
| Signal | Minimal (only phone number, last connection date) | No cloud storage, local device | Yes | Nonprofit, no ads, minimal data collection |
| Telegram | Phone number, contacts, IP, messages (default chats) | Telegram servers (cloud-based) | Partially | Stores unencrypted messages by default, collects more metadata than Signal |
- WhatsApp collects extensive metadata, including usage, device, and location information, and shares data within the Meta ecosystem. Even if you rarely use the app, your data can be collected via other users who have your contact information.
- Signal collects the least data—just your phone number and the date you last connected. It does not store your messages in the cloud and does not log your contacts or usage.
- Telegram collects your phone number, contacts, IP address, and stores messages on its servers unless you use Secret Chats. This means Telegram, in theory, could access your message content for regular chats.
Security Verdict
- Signal is the clear leader in security and privacy, offering robust end-to-end encryption, minimal data collection, and open-source transparency. It is the best choice if privacy is your top concern.
- WhatsApp provides strong end-to-end encryption for most communications but collects significant metadata and is owned by Meta, which has a record of extensive data collection.
- Telegram offers flexible features and cloud-based convenience but only provides end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats. Regular chats are less private, and Telegram holds the encryption keys.
Summary Table
| Feature | Signal | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Default, all | Default, all* | Only in Secret Chats |
| Data collection | Minimal | Extensive | Moderate |
| Open source | Yes | Partially | Partially |
| Cloud storage | No | Yes (optional) | Yes (default) |
| Owned by | Nonprofit | Meta (Facebook) | Telegram Messenger LLP |
*Some exceptions for business accounts and backups.
In conclusion:
If security and privacy are your priorities, Signal is the best choice. WhatsApp is secure for everyday use but collects more data. Telegram is feature-rich but only truly private when using Secret Chats Choosing a secure messaging app is crucial for protecting your privacy and data. Here’s a comparison of three of the most popular messaging apps—WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram—with a focus on how secure they are and what data they collect.
Encryption and Security Features
| App | Default Encryption | Protocol Used | Who Holds the Keys? | Special Security Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end (E2EE) | Signal Protocol | Only sender/recipient | Encrypted backups, E2EE calls | |
| Signal | End-to-end (E2EE) | Signal Protocol | Only sender/recipient | Disappearing messages, open source |
| Telegram | Server-side (default), E2EE only in Secret Chats | MTProto (custom) | Telegram (default), users (Secret Chats) | Secret Chats, self-destruct, screenshot blocking |
- Signal: All messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default. The app is open source, with no cloud storage for messages, and offers features like disappearing messages and sender anonymity. Signal is widely regarded as the most secure mainstream messaging app.
- WhatsApp: Uses the same Signal Protocol for end-to-end encryption on all personal and group chats and calls. However, messages to business accounts may not be E2EE, and backups can be a weak point if not encrypted.
- Telegram: Only “Secret Chats” are end-to-end encrypted. Regular chats are encrypted between your device and Telegram’s servers, but Telegram holds the keys and could access your messages if compelled. Secret Chats offer additional privacy features like screenshot blocking and self-destruct timers.
Data Collection and Privacy
| App | Data Collected | Data Storage | Open Source? | Notable Privacy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usage data, contacts, device info, location, cookies | Encrypted backups (optional), Meta servers | Partially | Owned by Meta, collects extensive metadata | |
| Signal | Minimal (only phone number, last connection date) | No cloud storage, local device | Yes | Nonprofit, no ads, minimal data collection |
| Telegram | Phone number, contacts, IP, messages (default chats) | Telegram servers (cloud-based) | Partially | Stores unencrypted messages by default, collects more metadata than Signal |
- WhatsApp collects extensive metadata, including usage, device, and location information, and shares data within the Meta ecosystem. Even if you rarely use the app, your data can be collected via other users who have your contact information.
- Signal collects the least data—just your phone number and the date you last connected. It does not store your messages in the cloud and does not log your contacts or usage.
- Telegram collects your phone number, contacts, IP address, and stores messages on its servers unless you use Secret Chats. This means Telegram, in theory, could access your message content for regular chats.
Security Verdict
- Signal is the clear leader in security and privacy, offering robust end-to-end encryption, minimal data collection, and open-source transparency. It is the best choice if privacy is your top concern.
- WhatsApp provides strong end-to-end encryption for most communications but collects significant metadata and is owned by Meta, which has a record of extensive data collection.
- Telegram offers flexible features and cloud-based convenience but only provides end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats. Regular chats are less private, and Telegram holds the encryption keys.
Summary Table
| Feature | Signal | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Default, all | Default, all* | Only in Secret Chats |
| Data collection | Minimal | Extensive | Moderate |
| Open source | Yes | Partially | Partially |
| Cloud storage | No | Yes (optional) | Yes (default) |
| Owned by | Nonprofit | Meta (Facebook) | Telegram Messenger LLP |
*Some exceptions for business accounts and backups.
In conclusion:
If security and privacy are your priorities, Signal is the best choice. WhatsApp is secure for everyday use but collects more data. Telegram is feature-rich but only truly private when using Secret Chats
Marcus, has been involved in Internet applications since the dawn of time, He has managed teams, managed companies and managed an Autistic household too.
He has a massive interest in Scifi and fantasy novels, cooking, Amateur Radio and the Weather as well as many other subjects. Marcus has a Doctorate in Musicology, and is a lifetime scholar. If Marcus doesn't know the answer he will definitely find it!
