Signal Private Messenger

Signal is the messenger security researchers use themselves, which is the strongest recommendation any encrypted app can have. Every message, call and file is end-to-end encrypted by default rather than as an option you must find and enable, meaning nobody between you and the recipient can read it, including Signal. The encryption protocol it developed is used under licence by other major messengers, so this is the original rather than an imitation. Two structural facts underpin the trust. The code is open source, so anyone can inspect what it actually does rather than taking a company's word. And Signal is run by a non-profit foundation funded by donations, with no advertising, no data sales and no shareholders wanting the user base monetised, which removes the commercial pressure that eventually erodes privacy elsewhere. Practically it works like any modern messenger. Texts, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs and files send free over your data connection with no SMS charges. Voice and video calls are encrypted, with group calls up to fifty people and group chats up to a thousand, including admin controls over who can post. Stories disappear after twenty four hours. Privacy settings cover disappearing messages, screen security and more. A phone number is needed to register, though it need not be shown to contacts, since usernames allow you to talk without revealing it. The app is free and funded by donations, so paid tiers and advertising are absent by design rather than by current policy.