Meta/Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has a message for iPhone and iPad users. He claims that Meta-owned WhatsApp provides more privacy and security than Apple’s iMessage. Zuckerberg suggests iOS users are better off using WhatsApp than the native instant messaging solution.
Does he have a point? Well, partly yes. Zuckerberg points out in a Facebook post that WhatsApp encrypts all messages no matter the platform. While iMessage encrypts messages on iOS, it converts messages to non-encrypted SMS when sending them to Android devices.
Another benefit Zuckerberg says WhatsApp has over iMessage is the ability to disappear chats with a single tap of a button. This is a new feature that makes it impossible to recall messages on your phone (if you choose). Yet another unique feature the CEO mentions is end-to-end encryption backups, again something that is not available in Apple’s service.
He sort of has a point, doesn’t he? There is no doubt the closed nature of iOS, in general, makes iMessage a secure choice but once messages leave Apple’s watchful eye, they are not as secure.
Privacy
WhatsApp has always been a leader in maintaining the privacy and security of its users. It is sort o ironic considering Facebook and Meta have a terrible track record on both fronts. I guess it is a compliment to the company that it has managed to somehow maintain the integrity of WhatsApp (and to a lesser extent Instagram) while Facebook’s brand image has hit lows.
As for Zuckerberg’s comments, it ties to a wider ad campaign WhatsApp is embarking on to emphasize the security of the app. It seems that the campaign will include calling out rivals and making direct comparisons to them.
Tip of the day: Windows Update downloads can often be frustrating because they are several gigabytes in size and can slow down your internet connection. That means your device may work with reduced performance while the update is downloading. In our guide, we show you how to limit bandwidth for Windows Update downloads, so they won’t bother you again.