The global trend that caused the number of downloads to skyrocket Signal and Telegram messaging apps, following the change in WhatsApp's terms of use, is also being recorded in Greece. According to data from SensorTower, obtained by moneyreview.gr, between January 4 and 17, compared to the period between December 21 and January 3, the number of downloads of the Signal and Telegram apps skyrocketed compared to WhatsApp.

Specifically, during the first two weeks of January, compared to the period from December 21 to January 3, the number of Signal downloads skyrocketed by 1,650%. Similarly, the Telegram app recorded 28,000 downloads during the same period, compared to 10,000 (+180%), with the corresponding figure for WhatsApp falling by 13%.

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Alternative messaging systems from the EU.

For its part, the initiative of European Commission «The Next Generation Internet (NGI) announced yesterday that, with its support, alternative instant messaging systems have been developed that fully protect user privacy. »The research projects of the NGI mainly develop instant messaging systems that fully protect user privacy,» according to NGI.

As the initiative also points out, the XMPP or the Jabber is the established Internet standard for instant messaging and essentially operates on the same basic principles as email. NGI funds several initiatives in XMPP to add the latest security features, so that users have a choice of clients to select and learn what suits them best: Kaidan and Conversations (mobile device customer for Android), Dino (desktop computer), Movim (Web client computer), Libervia (all devices). All of these are free and open source applications, so they can be further customized.

The Deltachat is a powerful and user-friendly application that users can start using immediately with their existing infrastructure. It looks and feels like a normal chat client, including encrypted private messages, discussions, and group chats—but instead of registering with an unknown server overseas, users use a server they already trust: their email server.

Another interesting protocol is Matrix. The NGI funds the Fractal, a group messaging application for operating systems Linux desktop computers and mobile devices. The community has created many more applications that can be used on mobile phones, desktop computers, and the web.

The Sylk Suite It started out as an open-source conference server, but has evolved into a feature-rich video calling application. Sylk will offer group messaging based on the simple standard. SIP, meaning it can be used in place of other popular messaging services with an alternative privacy protection system – and is compatible with the majority of providers. Internet.

To interact with a more open community, users may want to consider using a «gem from the past»: Internet chat relay servers (IRC). The NGI supports KiwiIRC, a modern Web client for Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers that facilitates chatting with a larger number of participants. Users can choose one of the many free IRC providers available or have their own.

If complete anonymity is required, Ricochet Refresh can be used: an open source project that allows private and anonymous instant messaging. The Ricochet Refresh It is the work of an international organization that supports whistleblowers acting in the public interest,» NGI said in its statement.

He adds that there are also systems that operate without an internet connection. These are Manyverse, a social networking application for mobile devices, implemented on a peer-to-peer network («Secure Scuttlebutt»), rather than a typical cloud service. The mobile app hosts the user's database locally, allowing them to own their personal data and also use the app when offline.

Also, the Briar is a secure messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and civil society groups. Instead of using a central server, encrypted messages are synchronized directly between users' devices, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.