A Practical Guide to More Private Conversations

Ignoring updates: Older versions may contain known security issues.

Sharing too much information: The safest information is often information that does not need to be shared in the first place.

A Simple Privacy Checklist

Before using a private messaging service, consider this checklist:

• Is end-to-end encryption available?
• Can notification previews be controlled?
• Are disappearing messages available?
• Can the application be protected with an additional lock?
• What data does the service collect?
• Where are messages stored?
• Can connected devices be reviewed?
• Is the application regularly updated?
• Does the developer provide security information?
• Does the privacy policy clearly explain data practices?

You do not need to understand advanced cybersecurity concepts to ask these questions.

The goal is simply to know what protection you are actually receiving.

The Difference Between Privacy and Secrecy

The word "secret" can sometimes make privacy technology sound mysterious.

In reality, most privacy features have straightforward purposes.

Encryption protects message content.

Notification controls reduce information shown outside the application.