Instant messaging is a more convenient way to transfer information than email, and more secure than SMS text messages if you have the right application installed.

The experts of the international human rights organization Amnesty International analyzed the encryption systems of the most popular instant messengers and compiled a security rating for instant messaging services. Earlier, a similar list was published by the FalconGaze analytical center, but in its ranking the places were distributed differently (see below).

10. Blackberry

This messenger is used by 100 million users, and it offers end-to-end encryption only as part of a paid subscription to the service. The end-to-end system involves the transfer of encrypted information from device to device, not through intermediaries, but directly. This keeps the complete confidentiality of correspondence.

9. Snapchat

It is used by more than 100 million people every day. Despite the fact that the creators of Snapchat promote privacy, in practice, the service does not have enough capabilities to protect the privacy of its users. It does not support end-to-end encryption.

8. Skype

Microsoft has owned Skype (an audience of 300 million people a month) since 2011, and Skype, in turn, is the main target of government oversight throughout the world. Although Microsoft verbally respects user privacy rights, it does not use end-to-end encryption.

7. Kakao

South Korean company Daum Kakao owns KakaoTalk, a mobile application with 49 million monthly active users. The South Korean government, using spyware, monitored and controlled citizens through the app. Subsequently, the company took measures to improve its level of encryption, but does not use end-to-end encryption as standard.

6. Viber Media

Messaging app with 700 million registered users. By default there is end-to-end encryption. But the company does not disclose full information about how it encrypts. Viber is considered one of the most popular instant messengers.

5. Line

Mobile messaging service with over 200 million active users daily. Most of them are residents of Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan. There is end-to-end encryption without any additional subscriptions. However, the company does inform its users of all possible network threats, and does not publish transparency reports.

4. Google

Google Apps has the following messaging apps: Allo, Duo, and Hangouts. Duo has end-to-end encryption standard, in Allo it is only optional, and in Hangouts it is not at all. Google takes a public stance against backdoors in encryption, which unlocks devices or applications and gives governments access to citizens ’personal data.

3. Telegram

Opens the top 3 most secure messengers messaging application with 100 million active users. This brand is committed to protecting the integrity of confidential data and the freedom of expression of users. Therefore, it is surprising that Telegram does not use end-to-end encryption by default.

2. Apple

IMessage and Facetime applications provide end-to-end encryption as a standard option. Apple, like Google, has publicly taken a position against backdoors in encryption and reports government requests for data. However, the corporation must do more to notify users within the applications themselves when their messages are protected using end-to-end encryption and when not (for example, when sending a message to a non-iPhone).

1. Facebook

Top 10 security messengers Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Together, they number 2 billion users, are the most secure and transparent messengers in their actions. WhatsApp is the only application whose users are explicitly warned when end-to-end encryption is not applied in a specific chat. However, Messenger does not use end-to-end encryption a priori, and users are not warned that the chat uses a weak form of encryption.

Watch the video: Top 5 Safe and Private Messaging Apps (May 2025).