Messenger
A messenger is an instant messaging service: you write to individuals or groups, send photos and voice messages, and make calls.
What is a messenger?
A messenger, also called an instant messenger, is a service for sending messages in real time to individuals or groups. Besides text, it now includes photos, videos, voice messages, files and voice and video calls. Messengers run as an app on the smartphone and often also in the browser or on the computer. Well-known examples are WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Threema.
How a messenger works
Your message travels over the internet to the provider's server, which passes it on to the recipient's device. If the recipient is offline, it is held and delivered later; a push notification announces its arrival. Many messengers recognise you by your phone number and match your address book for that, others work with usernames. Whether the provider can read content depends on the encryption.
What to look out for
With end-to-end encryption only the participants can read the content. Ask exactly what is encrypted: with some services it applies only to certain chats, not to groups, backups or attachments. Metadata – who writes to whom and when – almost always arises. It also matters whether the service demands your address book, where it is operated and whether you can have messages deleted automatically.
On Friendstime
On Friendstime the messenger is part of the social network. For an account you need a username and an email address, no phone number; your address book is not uploaded. The text of private chats is end-to-end encrypted when both accounts have a key, and the text of group chats once all members use a current app or the web messenger. Voice messages, images, videos and files in one-to-one chats are end-to-end encrypted under the same condition; we do not promise this for group chats. Calls are currently encrypted in transit only; end-to-end encryption for picture and sound is in a test phase. To deliver messages, the server knows who writes to whom and when.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a phone number for a messenger?
That depends on the service. Many require a phone number, others work with usernames or an email address. On Friendstime you sign up with a username and an email address.
Can the provider read my messages?
Only if they are not end-to-end encrypted. On Friendstime, end-to-end encryption applies to the text of private chats and – once all members use a current app or the web messenger – to the text of group chats; attachments and calls are excluded from it.
What is the difference between SMS and a messenger?
An SMS travels over the mobile network and is limited to short text. A messenger uses the internet and can handle images, voice messages, groups and calls.
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