Some countries like India are facing a challenge, with WhatsApp being used as a platform to spread fake news. A huge number of people have been killed in mob beatings after news spread on WhatsApp, wrongly accusing them and inciting the public to take matters into their own hands.
In Uganda today, conmen use the platform to look out for victims. The platform is also a center of scam messages. It is upon all this that Facebook is finding measures to curb the spread of false news and some of the new features it is adding will help users identify messages that have been forwarded as well as identify which messages are true or false.
While we don’t know if the new features will be of help, below is a small list of alternative applications that I recommend you try out in case WhatsApp gets messier.
Telegram Messenger
Telegram Messenger is a messaging app that works just like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger and can be used to send and receive messages for free using the internet. Telegram was founded by Pavel Durov from Russia in 2013. On 24 February 2014, Telegram was the most downloaded iPhone app in 48 countries.
What makes Telegram better than WhatsApp?
Telegram is seriously secure; in fact, its founder is ready to give $200,000 in bitcoins to the first individual who can break Telegram’s encryption protocol.
For individuals looking to share files, there is no file size limit on Telegram. Telegram allows you to share heavy files. However, there is a size limit on WhatsApp which is why you can opt for Telegram.
Telegram also has channels where you can connect to information that you’re interested in and you don’t have to be a part of a chat group. This is a distinct feature and is unavailable on WhatsApp.
Telegram groups allows members to go as many as 1,000,000 in a single group unlike WhatsApp which limits groups to 256 members. This makes Telegram a better option for individuals interested in connecting which large numbers of people.
Telegram has features called stickers that allow people to express themselves even beyond what emoji’s do.
Hike Messenger App
Hike Messenger app is a freeware and cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service. In simple terms, Hike is just like WhatsApp. Users can also stay updated with news, cricket scores and jokes in an easily consumable format.
What makes Hike better than WhatsApp?
Hike has an offline message feature that informs you if the user you are sending a message to is offline and prompts you to send a free SMS allowing the other person to receive the message on time. On WhatsApp, when you send a message to a friend who is offline, the message remains in the server and you have to wait until your friends come online to view it. This can help in situations of emergency, or at times when the other person might not have internet connectivity.
Hike also provides a feature called hidden chat which allows users to keep any particular chat that they may want private. These can only be accessed using a code. This ensures privacy.
Besides this, users are allowed to decide who sees their ‘last seen’ and status updates. You can also do this on WhatsApp, but it is restricted to ‘everyone,’ ‘my contacts’ and ‘nobody.’ Hike on the other hand allows you to select specific individuals to allow.
In terms of sharing files, you can send videos, images and music as well as voice notes in any formats with sizes up to 100 MB.
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Signal
Signal is an encrypted communications app for Android and iOS. A desktop version is also available for Linux, Windows, and MacOS. It uses the Internet to send one-to-one and group messages, which can include files, voice notes, images and videos, and make one-to-one voice and video calls.
What makes Signal better than WhatsApp?
Signal is the most secure application out there. It uses an encryption protocol called ‘signal protocol’ which provides end to end encryption for voice calls, messages, etc. This protocol is also used by Facebook in its WhatsApp and Messenger Application. The feature allows sending of messages that disappear. Conversations can be configured to ‘delete after a specified time interval’.
Slack
Slack is another alternative messaging application you can opt for. Slack offers real time messaging, archiving and search for modern teams. In simple terms, Slack allows team members from various locations keep up-to-date on company related occurrences like a virtual office. The teams are freely accessible and open to anyone who wishes to join. It is however most ideal for company and team related communication.
Why is Slack better than WhatsApp?
Slack offers different versions to different categories of people. It’s free version all the basics that messaging apps offer starting with allowing you to make calls and send direct messages. It’s also gives 5GB of total file storage and stores up to 10,000 of your recent messages. The free version can be downloaded from application stores like play store, apple store and even a desktop version is available.
For individuals who require more, other low-priced versions exist. It’s “standard version” gives you access to all the features from its free version and adds you up to 10GB of file storage, group voice and video chats and can be obtained at only 8 dollars per month.
A more complex version that follows the “standard version” is a “plus version”. This version offers all the standard features and adds up to 10GB of file storage per team member. It goes for 15 dollars per month. Slack also offers a version that gives you usage statistics, reporting and analysis. It is referred to as the “enterprise version” and it offers all the “plus version” features. This version is priced by quote.
For users looking for just the basics of messaging,the free version should be enough for you.
Related:
Facebook shrinks fake news after warnings backfire
