Meta is reportedly working on a new WhatsApp cross-platform messaging feature that will enable users to chat using different apps. This new feature is a direct step towards implementing the new Digital Markets Act regulations for the European Union.

What’s it about? What will be the significance of this update? When should you expect it? Read along to know more.

WhatsApp’s Cross-Platform Feature Explained

Benefits of the Third-Party Chat Feature

When Should You Expect the Release?

The post Meta Working on a New WhatsApp Cross-Platform Messaging Feature to Comply with DMA Regulations appeared first on Tech Research Online.

On 20th June, WhatsApp launched two new updates, Silence Unknown Callers, and Privacy Control. Over the years, WhatsApp has introduced many features that provide a hassle-free experience. Providing end-to-end encryption to messages for privacy reasons was another feature WhatsApp implemented for users’ safety. 

Silence Unknown Callers – Say Goodbye to Spam Calls on WhatsApp 

In a recent post, Mark Zuckerberg said, “You can now automatically silence incoming calls from unknown contacts on WhatsApp for even more privacy and control”. The Silence Unknown Callers feature intends to provide you with greater privacy and control over your incoming calls. For further security, it helps to automatically screen out spam, fraud and calls from unfamiliar people. These calls will not ring on your phone, but they will appear on your Call list in case it is someone important.

Source

To enable this feature, all you have to do is follow these steps: Got to settings > Go to Privacy > Go to Calls > Enable the Silence the unknown caller feature. 

While calls from unknown numbers will be stopped immediately, WhatsApp claims that they will continue to appear in alerts and the app’s call list.  

This is helpful if you don’t have the caller saved in your contacts and want to check later to see if it was from someone you know.  

Privacy Control – Added Security for Your WhatsApp Accounts 

WhatsApp is introducing Privacy Checkup to ensure that everyone is aware of WhatsApp’s security options. This step-by-step feature walks you through critical privacy settings, allowing you to select the appropriate level of protection all in one spot.  

Source

The checkup will take you through multiple steps to highlight different privacy controls. Here, you can choose who can contact you, control your personal information, add more privacy to your chats, and add more protection to your account.  

Through this process, users can modify settings such as two-factor authentication, choose who can add them to groups, set a default duration for messages that disappear, and manage who can view their profile image.  

How to start WhatsApp’s privacy checkup  

To start your WhatsApp account’s privacy checkup feature, follow the steps below:  

• Launch WhatsApp and click the three dots in the top right corner 
• Click Settings 
• Select Privacy after selecting Account 
• Select “Start Checkup” and adhere to the on-screen instructions 

Conclusion  

These features, intends to provide enhanced WhatsApp security for users like you. The New silence feature aims to notify you only when a person from your contact list calls you. Also, by using the privacy feature it will help the user in securing personal information, calls, and messaging data. Overall, the update aims to Safeguard user security and protect them from spam calls. 

The post WhatsApp Introduces New Features: Silence Incoming Unknown Calls and More appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Regain Access to Banned Accounts   

According to various sources, more than 16 lakh accounts were banned on WhatsApp in April 2022. The instant messaging platform bans numerous users every month for violations of laws or its terms of service. If your account is banned, you’ll see the following message when you open WhatsApp: “This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp.” According to WhatsApp, “We ban accounts if we believe the account activity violates our Terms of Service, for example, if it involves spam, scams, or if it puts WhatsApp users’ safety at risk.” However, now, it has come with a useful feature that will allow banned users to appeal and regain access to their accounts within the app.   

WhatsApp’s new feature is available for those users who are using the beta version of the messaging app. Users who have been banned on the platform will now be able to appeal for their account to regain access to it. The latest update comes from WaBetaInfo, which has spotted the feature on the platform.  

The report says that users will get an option to contact WhatsApp Support right within the app when they try to log into their banned WhatsApp account. Currently, you don’t get the option in the messaging app, and you will have to visit the support page of WhatsApp to drop a review request to regain access to your account.  

Here’s what to do if you’re banned on WhatsApp  

WhatsApp’s latest beta version shows the revoke option for banned accounts within the app. Once you opt for it, WhatsApp support will review your account and device info to check for ‘illegal activity that goes against their terms of service’. When you drop a request for a review, you will also be required to enter some additional details.   

After submitting the review, there are chances that your account could be restored if the platform discovers that your account was banned by mistake. However, users do need to keep in mind that if WhatsApp finds that your account has violated their Terms of Service, then you will not be able to re-use your old account and you will also not get a third chance.  

The cited source has spotted WhatsApp’s new feature in the Android beta version of the app. According to the report, it is suggestive that the same will also be made available to iOS users in the coming weeks. It is currently unknown when the new feature will be released to the stable version of WhatsApp.  

However, you can still drop a review request if you are using the stable version and your account is banned. You just need to visit the platform’s contact page and email them requesting the cancellation of your banned account.  

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also working on various additional features. These namely include the ability for users to switch to avatars on video calls and introducing a blur tool for media editors on desktop. The messaging platform has released a new version of message reactions. According to WABetaInfo on Twitter, “Some users on WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS can now choose any emoji to react to messages!” 

Read Also : Apple allows developers to use third-party payment services in South Korea; here’s why it is important!

Anwesha Mishra

Anwesha has been a creative writer for a while. Currently, on her pursuit of tech writing, she is diving into the realms of technology to produce better content on the forever-changing world of technology. In her free time, you’ll find her humming tunes of her favourite shows or reading a book.

The post If you’re banned on WhatsApp, we (might) have a solution for you! appeared first on Tech Research Online.

India’s First Period Tracker Chatbot 

From latest COVID-19 information to payments and transaction facilities, WhatsApp has been bringing almost all features that will fulfill the daily needs of users on an immediate basis. The instant messaging app already has various chatbots for easy access to several information, for example, its ‘Ask Raksha’ chatbot for access to health-related information. WhatsApp is (seemingly) constantly working on a new feature to update its platform as competition in the market rises. It seems like the Meta-owned app is looking to expand its reach outside instant messaging tech and do more.  

Currently, WhatsApp has introduced a new and India’s first period-tracking chatbot in collaboration with Sirona Hygiene Pvt. Ltd, an Indian brand that is popular for its feminine hygiene products. The new chatbot will allow menstruators to track their periods via WhatsApp.   

Speaking of the collaboration with WhatsApp, Deep Bajaj, Co-founder and CEO of Sirona Hygiene Pvt. Ltd said in a statement: “Technology can change menstruators’ lives, and we’re using it to build a better environment and community for them to connect and thrive.” “We harness the power of AI and intuitive technology to provide ease of access to our consumers via WhatsApp, which has become a vital part of our lives.”   

Track Various Goals and Information 

According to Sirona’s press announcement, the period tracking application can be used to track three goals: Track periods; Conceive; and Avoid Pregnancy. Here are how users can track their menstrual cycle via the chatbot on WhatsApp:  

• • • Add 9718866644 to your address book  
    • Then, on WhatsApp, say “Hi”  
    • Sirona will present a list of alternatives  
    • To keep track of your periods, type “period tracker” into the chat box  
    • You will then be prompted to enter your period information  
    • Sirona will provide information such as your ovulation date, fertile window, next and previous periods, and even your cycle length  

 After that, users will be asked to provide additional information related to their current periods and previous periods. Based on this information, the chatbot will keep a record and share reminders including the forthcoming cycle dates based on the users’ goals. The WhatsApp Business Platform has been used for building the period tracker. It is further powered by an intuitive chatbot interface, that further makes the user experience smooth and entertaining.   

The period tracker also has an option for those who want to avoid pregnancy by highlighting their ovulating period. However, all this information depends on the accuracy of the information shared by users. Any change in your menstruation cycle could result in the wrong prediction from the chatbot. Additionally, users can also edit their details, Also, the chatbot will let users view their next three menstruation cycles.  

Moreover, Sirona comes with a separate app that provides menstruators with a complete ecosystem for menstrual health and hygiene. The software also includes a period tracker. It is also an open forum for posting stories, questions, and answers, giving our Sisterhood a central location to connect and exchange. The Sirona app intends to provide education, awareness, and usefulness while also making menstrual hygiene available on the go. 

Read Also : Hangouts will Officially Retire on November 2022; What to do Next?

Anwesha Mishra

Anwesha has been a creative writer for a while. Currently, on her pursuit of tech writing, she is diving into the realms of technology to produce better content on the forever-changing world of technology. In her free time, you’ll find her humming tunes of her favourite shows or reading a book.

The post WhatsApp Introduces India’s First Period Tracker Chatbot; Here’s Everything you Should Know! appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Starting from 19 June 2022, Telegram has started rolling out its Premium subscription for its users. The tech giant announced the official rollout of its paid premium subscription service.  

WhatsApp Rival’s ‘Sustainable Monetization’ 

With this, Telegram marked its first big step towards making ‘sustainable monetization’. Telegram’s paid Premium subscription will cost $4.99/month. For people in India, the subscription will cost around Rs 390 per month. Earlier in June 2022, the instant messaging app announced that it would implement some advanced features behind a paywall and further allow users to access them via a subscription plan. With the release of its Premium subscription, this is the first time Telegram has started a freemium model for its app since it was launched 9 years ago.  

Recently, in 2022, Telegram became one of the top 5 downloaded apps worldwide—with over 700 million monthly active users. To celebrate the achievement, the encrypted messaging platform rolled out its premium service that offers multiple additional features, exclusively available to its paid users.  

In a blog post, Telegram stated:

“The contributions of premium subscribers will help improve and 
expand the app for decades to come, while Telegram will remain 
free, independent and uphold its users-first values, redefining
 how a tech company should operate.”

Features of Telegram Premium 

Telegram’s Premium subscription will cost $4.99/month and will give users access to up to 4GB file uploads, faster downloads, exclusive stickers and reaction, and many more. Premium users will have access to a number of additional features over the non-paying users. They will get double the limits for everything available on the app. They can follow upto 1000 channels, create 20 chat folders with 200 chats each, and add a total of four accounts to a total of four accounts to Telegram instead of three.  

Under Telegram’s Premium subscription, users can avail the following features:  

• 4GB Uploads

  Paid subscribers will be able to upload large files and media each up to 4GB in size. While others will be able to upload files up to 2GB in size and enjoy unlimited storage in the Telegram Cloud for free.

   

• Faster Downloads

  Premium users will enjoy the fastest possible speed on Telegram and also access anything in their unlimited cloud storage at the speed on their fast network without any buffer.

   

• Doubled Limits

  The premium features also include increased limits for almost everything within Telegram where users can follow up to 1000 channels, create up to 20 chat folders with up to 200 chats each and more.

   

• Voice-To-Text

  Premium subscribers can now rate transcriptions of voice-to-text messages on Telegram to help improve the social platform’s features.
   

Is Telegram Premium similar to Twitter Blue? 

In addition to the above features, premium users can pin up to 10 chats in the main list, use longer bios with a link and animated display pictures that will be visible throughout the app. A premium-special badge will set premium users apart from the regular ones.

The badge will imply that the users are “showing that they can help support Telegram and are part of the club that receives exclusive features first.” 

Telegram Premium is quite similar to Twitter Blue which offers access to services such as the Undo Tweet option to revert posting a tweet, a replacement for the edit button that Twitter is currently working on. Subscription plans are effective for those who spend a significant amount of time on a particular app. However, for those who don’t, the features available in the free tier are sufficient for content curation or posting. Simultaneously, a subscription plan also implies a reasonably good proportion of users who like Telegram and want access to additional features.  

Anwesha Mishra

Anwesha has been a creative writer for a while. Currently, on her pursuit of tech writing, she is diving into the realms of technology to produce better content on the forever-changing world of technology. In her free time, you’ll find her humming tunes of her favourite shows or reading a book.

The post Will Telegram’s Premium Subscription help the WhatsApp with Sustainable Monetization? appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Privacy has now become a commodity.

Companies are buying and selling your data without your knowledge. If you are concerned about your chats being read by a third party or you just want to have some private conversation. We have curated a list of the best encrypted messaging apps to help you protect yourself from companies’ eavesdrop on your private chats and calls.   

While some of these apps are developed by huge corporations, few are run by start-ups. Some of the messengers on the list are so heavily encrypted that even government intelligence agencies can’t break into them.

Here are some of the best encrypted messaging apps available for Android as well iOS.  

1. Signal 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Signal: Android, iOS  

If you are a security-conscious mobile user then Signal is a fantastic messaging solution for you. The app is free and offers messaging, voice-calling, and group-chatting services. The app uses its end-to-end encryption protocol to protect your privacy.   

Signal is an encrypted messaging app that allows you to send text messages, voice calls, group messages, media, and attachments to your contacts without messing with your special login credentials or PIN codes.   

The application even offers you an option to set all the messages to self-destruct after a certain amount of time.   

Signal’s encryption is so strong that Facebook uses it for WhatsApp and Messenger. However, unlike my tech giants, Signal’s parent is a non-profit foundation created by a cryptographer who is also the founder of WhatsApp.  

Over time, Signal has become a favorite application for security-conscious users and other privacy advocates due to its ease of use and strong, open-source, regularly audited encryption.   

The application offers user-friendliness without compromising on security making it’s a fantastic option. The application also offers user-friendly features such as for customization such as wallpapers and animated stickers.  

2. Threema 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: $3.99  

Download Threema: Android, iOS  

Threema is a very secure end-to-end encrypted messaging app that leverages the NaCl cryptography library for privacy protection.   

The application keeps your identity anonymous by not requiring any personal information and generating a unique Threema ID key. However, you can also associate your account with a phone number or email address to allow other users to easily find you.   

If in any instance, you meet other Threema users in person but don’t want to exchange names then you can use a scannable QR code to connect with them.   

Other than the raft of messaging features such as encrypted text, voice, picture, and video messaging, the application also offers a file-sharing limit of 20MB and a polling system for feedback 

3. WhatsApp  

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download WhatsApp: Android, iOS   

WhatsApp has single-handedly become the most widely used chat and call app. The encrypted messaging app uses Signal’s end-to-end encryption since 2016 which is continuously being tweaked by its developers.  

The app’s security and privacy features allow users to fine-tuned group invitations. This in turn gives you control over them.   

After Whatsapp was sold to Facebook, the company now uses its behavioral data, however, the messages entirely remain walled-off.   

WhatsApp remains the easiest end-to-end encrypted messaging application. For users not comfortable with Facebook’s presence, you can always opt for other applications on this list.   

WhatsApp’s ease of use, ubiquity, and ability to send voice and video messages, and photos makes it a robust and fully encrypted mobile-messaging app. 

4. Silent Phone 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: $9.95 per month  

Download Silent Phone: Android, iOS   

Silent Circle, is a secure-communications software, provides encrypted audio and video calls. It also offers encrypted messaging and file transfers that are self-destructing.  

The best part is the encryption keys are not held by Silent Circle but by subscribers themselves. This means that even though your encrypted messages may pass through Silent Circle’s network, they won’t be able to read your data.  

However, there is a downside to this encrypted messaging app that is its high price. While installation is free of cost, but it won’t work till the payment of $9.95 per month.   

Silent Circle aims to provide enterprise users total privacy for work. This also means that you’ll find fewer people who use it for personal communications. 

5. Wire 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Wire: Android, iOS  

Wire offers end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, audio and video clips, and Dropbox file sharing. The encrypted messaging app has multiplatform for cross-device syncing and multiple accounts support. This allows you to keep your personal and work communications separate.   

The application has its own Proteus encryption protocol with open-source code. It is also subjected to external security audits.   

You can use the mobile and web versions of the application for free, but the premium tier is paid version. Like Silent Circle and Wickr, Wire wants to primarily appeal to business users.  

6. WickrMe   

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Wickr Me: Android, iOS  

Wickr Me is an end-to-end encrypted-messaging app that allows you to send private, self-destructing messages for free.   

This encrypted messaging app uses strong encryption as it takes your privacy seriously. With Wickr, you can configure the amount of time for a message to self-destruct.   

A new layer of security is added by the video-key verification system which allows each user to verify each other with short encrypted video. The app even has a $100,000 bug-bounty program for anyone to point out a security flaw.  

However, Wickr is not as versatile as one might think. It’s audio and video calls are one-to-one only and group chats are limited to 10 members.  

7. Viber 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Viber: Android, iOS  

Originally developed in Israel, Viber is now owned and operated by Rakuten. The encrypted messaging app offers end-to-end encryption messaging with stickers and augmented-reality filters.  

Viber also features a color-coded lock icon to show users conversation protection. The application also has a self-destructing Secret Chats and a Hidden Chats feature.   

Additionally, the app also offers a solid mobile-messaging feature set tied to your phone number. The app is free to communicate with other Viber users, but you’ll have to pay to call non-Viber users. 

8. Facebook Messenger 

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Facebook Messenger: Android, iOS  

Facebook Messenger is not the first app that comes to mind when thinking about encrypted messaging, however, its mobile versions include end-to-end encrypted communication.   

The application uses the same encryption system used in Signal but you have to opt into the feature for Secret Conversations. You can also send and receive encrypted text, pictures, and stickers with the option for time-limited self-destructing messages.   

That said, Facebook Messenger is still vulnerable mainly because it’s Facebook. 

9. Silence

Available on: Android  

Price: Free  

Download Silence: F-Droid, Google Play  

Silence is an open-source SMS and MMS Android app offering more security than your standard text message. The application leverages the Axolotl encryption protocol pioneered by Signal and applies it to SMS.   

This encrypted messaging app works similar to your normal text messaging app with an option to send encrypted SMS.   

Though Silence is available on Google Play Store, American users can’t install it due to trademark issues. A newer version of the application is available to Americans on the F-Droid open-source app repository.  

10. Dust  

Available on: Android, iOS  

Price: Free  

Download Dust: Android, iOS  

Dust, formerly called Cyber Dust, offers multiple encryptions and security features to maintain user privacy. The encrypted messaging app leverages a combination of AES-128 and RSA-2048 encryption. It is designed to keep direct messages in RAM, rather than in your phone’s storage.   

You can also set messages to self-destruct within 24 hours after being read. However, the application does not display user names in a message and alerts you if a screenshot is taken.   

Additionally, the application offers privacy-watchdog features along with stealth search tool for your privacy during a web search.  

These are the top picks for the best encrypted messaging app. Do let us know if we missed your favorites in the comment section below.   

Author Bio:

FAQs: 

• Are Facebook Messenger messages encrypted? 

  Yes, Facebook messages are encrypted in Secret Conversation mode.  

• What is the best-encrypted messenger app for Android? 

  Whatsapp is the best-encrypted messenger app for Android in terms of privacy, security, and user-friendliness.  

The post 10 Best Encrypted Messaging Apps for 2022 appeared first on Tech Research Online.

WABetaInfo has reported on the feature with is still in work-in-progress last year. Today, they have shared screenshots of how it could be presented in the service’s iOS and Android apps. 

Also Read: WhatsApp’s App For Desktop Now Has Voice and Video Calls  

“To prevent unauthorized access to your iCloud Drive backup, you can set a password that will be used to encrypt future backups,” one of the screenshots reads.   

“This password will be required when you restore from the backup.” The app then asks the user to confirm their phone number, and select a password that’s at least eight characters long. Another screenshot warns that “WhatsApp will not be able to help recover forgotten passwords.”  

Though their chats are encrypted and can be visible to the sender and recipient, the service has previously warned that this protection doesn’t extend to online backups.   

Once backups get stored in the servers of Google Drive and iCloud the security of the backups is their responsibility. Encrypting the backups with a password would theoretically prevent anyone from accessing them without your authorization.  

Reports about the feature come as the company’s reputation takes a hit from a new privacy policy. The new policy has stoked fears that the company might store and share more information with its parent Facebook. Though WhatsApp has insisted that the policy doesn’t affect the security, rival messaging services such as Signal and Telegram have seen a surge in interest.  

The post WhatsApp Might Be Working on Password Protected Backups   appeared first on Tech Research Online.

However, we should remember that voice and video calling isn’t a new idea for the company as the mobile apps are already offering the feature. WhatsApp started to roll out the calling feature for the desktop at the end of last year only to a small group of users.   

Also Read: WhatsApp Explains What Happens if You Deny Its New Privacy Policy

However, the launch means that these features are now available to every single WhatsApp user on the desktop. The company has thus made calling a more ubiquitous feature across all WhatsApp devices.  

The new desktop calling is the same as end-to-end encryption as the existing video calling feature. This means that both WhatsApp and Facebook will not be able to see or hear any calls.  

Besides, the new feature launch has one biggest missing feature that is the desktop app will only support one-to-one calling. The desktop app will not support any group calls.   

The company, however, has promised that it’ll be expanding to include support for group voice and video calls.  

If you want to use or try out Whatsapp’s new video calling feature, you’ll have to set up the WhatsApp desktop app. This is the same for both Mac and PC. This requires you already be a WhatsApp user on mobile.   

Once installed on the computer, users will be able to scan a QR code to log in to the desktop app. After scanning the code, they will be able to use the desktop version of WhatsApp.  

The post WhatsApp’s App For Desktop Now Has Voice and Video Calls   appeared first on Tech Research Online.

According to WhatsApp, if a user fails to accept its new privacy policy starting from May 15th, they might experience its functionality will become more limited and they might not be able to send or read messages from its app.   

While the users will be able to receive calls and notifications, however, this will only last a few weeks, the company confirmed.   

In the past few months, WhatsApp’s privacy policy has been controversial among some users. Many users believe that by allowing WhatsApp excess they might allow them to share their private messages with Facebook, its parent company.   

However, the messages between users are end-to-end encrypted on WhatsApp. So, there are little to no chances of WhatsApp invading your private space and see its contents.   

On the other hand, Whatsapp’s new privacy policy actually relates to its business messages. Businesses’ messages may be used for advertising and stored on Facebook servers.   

Since 2016, WhatsApp has shared some personal information with its parent Facebook.  

Currently, WhatsApp has decided to push the announcement date of new policies further in response to the public outcry which was originally on February 8th.

Also Read: WhatsApp Announces Introduction Of Its Digital Payment System In Brazil

Last week, the company outlined how they will explain the new privacy policy to its users to clear out the air. They will also include a banner with its explanation of the new policy inside the app.  

While the company says that they won’t delete the accounts that do not accept the new policies on May 15th and they will be able to accept it after that date. However, they have also cautioned its users that it generally deactivates accounts after 120 days of inactivity.

The post WhatsApp Explains What Happens if You Deny Its New Privacy Policy appeared first on Tech Research Online.