We all use one or multiple messaging apps to communicate with our family, friends and peers; however, we hardly try to pay heed to a very common but crucial fact that how apt these apps are in terms of keeping your sensitive data secure.  With the arrival of the latest messaging app named Allo by Google, the discussion on the security of the sensitive and confidential data of users.

The latest messaging app from Google, Allo, has been rolled out recently with a lot of roar about its unique features. Despite having such features, the big question is would this app be able to shake the throne of already popular apps like Face book messenger? Let’s find out in the following study.

End-to-End Encryption

Apps like Messenger from Facebook and Allo from Google provide end-to-end encryption in special private messaging modes that users must use. The power of   end-to-end can fend you off from being spied on, and stop your personal information from being stolen. The big reason behind not using a solid safeguard is that they put the privacy of users on stake to create features such as chatbots and answer predictions that are not much useful.

Google’s Analysis

Unencrypted chats are analyzed by Google to perform a service like automatic replies, movies or and recommended restaurants. The same kinds of jobs are also done by Facebook messenger as it uses auto-responding bots. It clearly means that in legal terms organizations could be ordered by a court to share transcripts with government agencies when required. Google has revealed that we keep our approach quite straight and this can be understood with an example that our users’ data is saved until they choose it to delete.

Facebook’s Stance

Facebook has found a number of reasons for not having end-to-end encryption a default, consisting of Messenger’s multi-device presence, its affluent multimedia features and fame on desktop web browsers. A number of people using Face book and Messenger in specific areas of the globe are not able to run JavaScript on their devices. Face book will not be able to back those users at all if private conversations or end-to-end encrypted will be turned on by default.

How About Other Apps?

Other apps like Snapchat and WeChat encrypt messages as they are transferred, so that it cannot be clogged by hackers. However, encryption keys can be retained by them as it can access the messages. To give over the contents due to court over, encrypt messages might be needed.

What Experts Say?

On the battle of encrypting message, experts say that even end-to-end encryption doesn’t spell 100% guaranteed security as well as privacy. Let’s take an example of WhatsApp, which claims that, the contents of messages (sent and received) cannot be accessed even by WhatsApp itself. However, despite the claim, this fact cannot be denied that phone numbers involved in the exchange and timestamps on the messages are still being stored on the company’s servers. It clearly depicts that if any court orders WhatsApp to share all the information it carries on a specific user, the sum of metadata the organization would be providing would most likely be sufficient to build a profile and exert some significant conclusion.

Role of Social Media Platforms in Privacy Breach

Social media giants like Facebook, twitter, etc. are playing a major role in putting the sensitive information of their users on stake. And that is how they make money. First, they scan your potential as a consumer, and thus accumulate all the information that gives them a clear idea about your ability. The more they know, the better they can serve. They offer you ads, keeping your behavior, personality and your user profile in mind.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the proliferation of Smartphone’s and messaging apps has made our lives extremely convenient as well as given all of us an opportunity to cash in on the benefits of technology. However, these apps are playing a huge role in keeping our privacy, sensitive details and confidentiality on stake to a large extent. It is true that even the apps with high stature have failed to keep the privacy intact. Therefore, users are advised to be extremely cautious before loading their info on apps.

Author Bio

Jitendra Jain is marketing and sales head at Octal Info Solution, a leading mobile app development company, offering platform to hire android / iPhone app developer for your own app development project. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and go through his ideas on distinct topics.