A few weeks ago I heard a friend of mine: “I am now using Signal instead of Whatsapp, because Signal is more secure.” Then I thought by myself is it really that bad to still use Whatsapp?
When you look at the properties of Whatsapp and Signal they are pretty much the same. The only thing that differs is the fact that Signal is an open source platform. Herewith, they want to guarantee security by enabling anyone to audit the code.
Signal makes it seem like they are the only platform that really protects messages from users by using end-to-end encryption. This means that you and other participants of the conversation are the only ones who can see the messages. But Whatsapp also uses end-to-end encryption. So why should Signal be safer to use than Whatsapp?
I don’t know why. One thing I do know is that Whatsapp still has a lot more users than Signal. Therefore, Whatsapp has a larger network effect compared to Signal; the value of Whatsapp is much higher because they have more users. That’s also why I am still using Whatsapp because all my friends are using it. When I decide to switch to Signal it takes a while for I can take advantage of that again. Furthermore, I am used to work with Whatsapp. Switching costs are high; because when I switch to Signal I have to learn how to work with it (although it will probably work almost the same).
Another communication app, Telegram, also tried to disrupt the market but they not really succeed. They could not compete against big competitor Whatsapp. Now I am wondering if Signal will be a failure too or can it push Whatsapp out of the market? If yes, how long will it take? What do you think?
Sources:
https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669?mt=8
https://androidworld.nl/apps/signal-private-messenger-snowden/
http://www.nu.nl/apps/4207675/whatsapp-heeft-1-miljard-gebruikers.html
http://www.pcmweb.nl/nieuws/privacy-vriendelijk-whatsapp-alternatief-heml-stopt-ermee.html
https://theintercept.com/2016/06/22/battle-of-the-secure-messaging-apps-how-signal-beats-whatsapp/
