telegram

Jeff wants to know if WhatsApp is private. He's concerned that Facebook gets his data. Leo says that WhatsApp does share user information with Facebook. But if he's concerned about that, there are other options. Leo dislikes Facebook so much, he doesn't use any of their apps.

Telegram is a really nice choice. It's free and secure. If he's looking for REAL privacy, then there's SIGNAL. They don't share any personal information. What about LINE? Leo says that Line is very popular in Japan. Then there's Discord.

Rick wants to do a text message mass mailing with a BCC (blind carbon copy). Is there a way to do it? Leo says there isn't using iOS because of privacy reasons. But Android messages may have a BCC option. But Android changes features all the time, so if you can do it this month, you may not be able to the next time it gets updated. There are third-party apps that can do it. The challenge though, is everyone would need to use the same app. Apps include TextPlus, Textra, Telegram (that's the one Leo likes). One way to do it would be with the group text message option.

Bruce is having trouble getting responses with group texting through Verizon. Leo says that happens to his wife as well. Often they arrive a day later, sometimes not at all. Leo says it may be a handshake issue between carriers. It also could be that some people in the group text may be using iMessages with an iPhone. Most users don't realize that when they use iMessage, they're using data and not the SMS system. As such, some just don't get the message because they're on two different networks. The best solution is to go with a data only system like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

John's niece just got an iPod Touch and she wants to message her parents who have Android phones. What are her options? Leo says that Apple has really screwed this up by not making iMessages apps for other platforms like Android. It's a great idea to save money, but Apple has forced users to use the same platform, and it's not possible to text an Android phone with it. That means that they'll have to use a third party messaging app. Leo likes Telegram.

Peter has the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 but he wants to still use his iPhone as well. But because his phone number is registered with iMessages, he can't get the text messages from his Apple friends when he's using his Android phone. Leo says that it annoys him that iMessage isn't cross platform. Peter can go to this site that Apple has set up, input his number, and Apple will turn off iMessage to that number. That way, all the messages he gets will be through SMS.