Tech & Auto
5 Reasons Why You Should Leave SMS Messaging On Android Behind
By GARRETT ETTINGER
Encryption
Unlike normal SMS messaging, end-to-end encryption converts messages into scrambled data that can only be decoded with a secret key found on the sender and recipient’s devices.
Sending the data this way ensures that any third party attempting to intercept the message over any network will receive scrambled, meaningless data.
The Government
Despite deleting texts on the receiver and sender’s phones, your cellular provider can still hold onto the data, meaning the government could still access it.
Text messages are often used as evidence in court proceedings, and the FBI can obtain and request text message data when needed.
Hackers
While end-to-end encryption isn’t perfect, it prevents hackers and malicious parties from intercepting and altering data en route, such as personal information.
In addition to protecting data en route, encryption protects users’ text messages from being read in cases of data breaches, like the notable 2021 T-Mobile hack.
Text Data
Your phone provider can track almost everything you do on your phone but cannot track or log messages sent via end-to-end encryption, meaning they won’t have your text data.
Most providers retain data like SMS metadata, call detail records, and cell site data for up to seven years, depending on the provider.
Text Apps
Many widely used apps, such as Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, include end-to-end encryption services feature.
While it’s necessary to get your friends and family on the app you want to use, many of these options are available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.