Security for messaging applications has become paramount in today’s world as most communications, including conversations between organizations, are conducted through it as a single breach can wreak havoc within an organization or an individual life as tons of confidential information gets shared through messaging platforms.
According to a study conducted back in 2021, social media data leaks account for 41% of all records breached.
This is significant given the fact that the number of people communicating through social media and messaging platforms for meaningful purposes is on the rise.
Messaging applications must incorporate proper security features in their system to protect people’s data and provide appropriate privacy. There are tools through which certain types of security can be ensured, like End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). Through E2EE, transmitted data are encrypted and can only be viewed by the sender and the receiver.
However, E2EE is not enough to provide sufficient security to users as numerous circumstances can occur in people’s lives, which can put their personal information at risk, such as their phone being stolen, forced to unlock the device, screenshots with harmful intentions, or spyware.
The following are some features you can look for when using a messaging application safely:
Disappearing Message: The feature lets users set a specific duration for the message; after that particular time, the conversation will automatically get deleted. This is a handy feature as it will allow people to share confidential information with a timer.
Apps offering this feature are imo, Snapchat
SecretChat: The entire chat window will disappear once people leave it – a perfect feature for sharing confidential information, especially within corporates.
Apps offering this feature: imo, Telegram
Time Machine: The feature lets people delete any conversation from the chat history. The message can be deleted no matter when it was sent. This feature provides more control to people regarding their personal information.
Apps offering this feature: imo
Block screenshots for calls: It is another outstanding feature restricting anyone from taking screenshots during a video call.
Screenshots during a video call can be dangerous for anyone, especially females.
Apps offering this feature: imo, WhatsApp
To protect data and ensure people’s privacy, social messaging platforms like imo continuously upgrade their systems and fill the applications with adequate features.