In order to add anyone in a group, the individual will be required to accept the group invitation, unlike WhatsApp. You also get the option to not allow a user to take chat screenshots. Signal lets you react to any message with emojis. There is also a feature called Message Requests, which gives you the option to block, delete, or accept messages from an unknown person.

Other features include fingerprint lock, read Receipts, location sharing, relay calls, archive chats, and more. There is also an incognito keyboard option, which basically doesn’t allow your keyboard to save what you are typing. You can also set a PIN to the Signal account to keep your account secure. It does not sell your data or monetise it and does not have advertisements. Former WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton helped found the Signal foundation along with Marlinspike, and has also poured in $50 million to fund the app. The app shows the name of the contacts that are on Signal, which makes it easy for you to connect. Yes, the private messaging app can be used across platforms from Android, iOS, iPad, Mac, Windows and Linux as well. All data remains stored locally on the device, and if you do lose access to the device and try to set up Signal on another phone, your previous chat history is lost.

Signal does not support third-party backups either, which is actually a good thing. The Signal protocol is open-source, which is another good thing. It means no third-party or even Signal can read your messages. It has end-to-end encryption based on the Signal protocol, built by American cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike, who is also the CEO of Signal.

Viber app privacy policy