“Data from the device can be used to target the user or even be sold to other platforms,” says Moore. Moore agrees, pointing out that Signal’s company ethos is more privacy-conscious compared to WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook.Īpple’s privacy labels show Signal’s iOS app collects a lot less data compared to WhatsApp.

“Signal is the better platform because of its stance on privacy, encryption and other functionality,” says Sammons. Many people use both WhatsApp and Signal, but if you have a choice, Signal is probably the best platform for disappearing messages – and not just because it offers more features. One you have done so, a little timer icon should appear detailing the time you have set with the contact or group. In Signal, you can tap the contact or group name and set a time after which you wish the messages to disappear.

To use the feature on WhatsApp, tap the group or chat name at the top of the screen and scroll down to disappearing messages. How to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp and Signal “This is not for situations where your contact is your adversary – after all, if someone who receives a disappearing message really wants a record of it, they can always use another camera to take a photo of the screen before the message disappears,” Signal warns on its support site.

Signal self destructing messages