“The only way you survive is you continuously transform into something else. It’s this idea of continuous transformation that makes you an innovation company.”
Ginni Rometty ( Executive chairman of IBM)

Technological innovation has never been more important in today’s society , our reliance on tech development to satisfy both our individualistic and organizational needs for cross border connection has somewhat been taken for granted to an extent our forefathers could only dream. The dot come bubble birthed a large number of global tech companies, such as Amazon, Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom.

New Innovative means of communication, shopping, accessing finances (online ) made our lives easier through simple means of trading our personal data, a layman’s price for easy access to technology . Past several years have seen the rise of WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet as favored communication apps within the mobile private messaging sector. Facebook, Viber, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet’s implementation of innovative strategies to retain customer loyalty is seen in it’s applications accessibility in it’s different platforms (mobile & desktop). These companies have continuously retained leadership reputations as trusted communication service providers.

WhatsApp , on the other hand has been lagging in the race. Although WhatsApp can be accessed on the desktop computer for messaging, it can not be accessed on the iPad nor does it have the functionality for voice calls or meetings on the desktop computer unlike it’s competitors. It’s voice calls and online meeting functionality is limited to secured end to end encrypted eight party calls on both android and iPhone devices . An additional headache for WhatsApp users is storage of chat backups which is stored in either Apple or Google cloud that does not have end to end encryption in which it’s end user becomes vulnerable to data exposure.

As the owner of WhatsApp since Feb 2014, Facebook’s innovative energy had been focused more on it’s cross platform messenger rooms. This is similar to conferencing rooms used in Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. FB messenger rooms do not offer end-to-end encryption. Facebook still shares your data collected through these rooms with third parties. It’s definition of “privacy” is giving you the capability to lock unwanted guest from entering your meeting room as well as the ability to remove them unlike zoom bombing that has been of recent media highlights.

A newer option at a lesser price of giving up your privacy is Signal, a cross platform encrypted messaging service that is developed by Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC. Signal services have end to end encryption and is considered one of the most secure messaging apps that is currently available to the public. This app is developed with the sole prospect of user privacy and is not focused on profits as per it’s competitors. Signal is also not known to sell, rent or monetize off your private data as it’s competitors . It has all the functionality as WhatsApp and Fb Messenger including direct and group messaging, one on one audio as well as video chat however with a higher standard of privacy for it’s end users. With plans to expand to desktop calling and to also enable message request on it’s app to limit unwanted messages , Signal has the upper hand in terms of privacy and online data security which has been the topic of National discussions of late .

With that said, what are your thoughts of third party access to your private data ? Should all Apps be required to implement the same standard in data privacy in their technologies as Signal Foundation LLC ?