Before installing a messenger app, smartphone users should fully inform themselves of how their data will be encrypted, how the app will access their contacts and how user behaviour is analysed.
The SMS text message is practically dead, and we're living in the age of the messenger app. Many smartphone users today never use SMS messaging, but prefer to stay in touch with friends and family using apps such as Hoccer, Signal, Threema, Viber, WhatsApp and Wire.
But to use these apps blindly is not a good idea. They differ significantly in the level of security they offer, for example.
