Introduction:
Just a year ago, the Telegram vs. WhatsApp debate was a hot topic in the news, leaving users wondering about the safety of WhatsApp post its privacy policy update. In this article, we'll delve into the Telegram vs. WhatsApp face-off, highlighting their differences in availability, unique features, and most importantly, privacy.
Part 1: The Battle of Availability Availability of Apps: WhatsApp, the brainchild of Brian Acton and Jan Koum, made its debut in 2009 and became the subject of major headlines when Facebook (now Meta) acquired it for a jaw-dropping $19 billion in 2014. However, 2021 saw WhatsApp facing heat due to its revised privacy policy, leading to hefty fines in the EU for violating data protection regulations. On the other side of the ring, we have Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov in 2013, boasting a user base of over 700 million, and renowned for its robust privacy features. During the 2021 Facebook outage, Telegram witnessed a surge of 70 million new users in just one day.
Comparison:
Availability:
WhatsApp: With 2.2 billion active users, it's accessible on Android, iPhone, Mac, and Windows PC.
Telegram: With 700+ million active users, it's available on Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows PC, Linux, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Multi-Device Usage:
WhatsApp: You can use it on up to 4 devices, with a limitation of one phone.
Telegram: Offers the freedom of unlimited device usage.
Inactivity:
WhatsApp: Your account is deleted after 120 days of inactivity.
Telegram: Provides a more lenient inactivity threshold, deleting accounts after 6 months of inactivity.
Part 2: Breaking Down the WhatsApp-Telegram Faceoff Telegram: Founded by Pavel Durov, Telegram is a versatile instant messaging platform that champions user privacy. Registered in the British Virgin Islands and open-source, it ensures transparency and security. Telegram offers a free service, thanks to its millionaire creator, and has a premium version with added features such as an ad-free experience, attractive stickers, and cross-platform compatibility.
WhatsApp: WhatsApp stands as the most popular free instant messaging app, with a user base numbering in the billions. Owned by Meta, all WhatsApp communications enjoy the safety of end-to-end encryption. However, the privacy boat was rocked when WhatsApp allowed the sharing of user data with Meta. It's a free app, but concerns linger regarding data collection and usage.
Part 3: A Peek into Their Unique Features WhatsApp's Unique Features:
Status Updates: WhatsApp lets users share photos and videos as status updates.
Disappearing Messages: WhatsApp offers users the option to set messages to disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
Telegram's Unique Features:
Secret Chat: Telegram's secret chat feature prevents message forwarding and ensures self-destructing messages after viewing.
Chat Password: Users can lock individual Telegram chats, adding an extra layer of security.
Chat History Import: Telegram allows users to import conversations with original timestamps from other apps.
Part 4: Privacy Matters: Telegram vs. WhatsApp Privacy-wise:
WhatsApp features end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and your intended recipient can read your messages.
Telegram employs end-to-end encryption for secret chats.
Telegram collects less personal data compared to WhatsApp.
Conclusion:
The choice between Telegram and WhatsApp ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and priorities. While Telegram excels in messaging features, WhatsApp boasts a larger user base. If you decide to switch, don't forget to back up your WhatsApp data using tools like ChatMover. Your decision will hinge on factors like features, user base, and privacy concerns, so choose wisely.
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