Been doing a lot of research on kik alternatives and thought we'd share the results. (In case you didn't know, kik is shutting down this week due to a lawsuit with the SEC.) The alternatives are pretty bleak, unless you don't care about privacy or anonymity.
Most of what’s out there (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, MeWe etc) requires you to give out your personal phone number or Facebook and/or isn’t encrypted or has data tracking.
A bunch of us are switching to one called Threema.
The highlights: No ads. No data tracking. No email/phone number. End to end encryption. (Not even stored on the servers, which are in Switzerland!) Secret groups. Timed deletion of messages. Pics. Videos. Voice calls and messages. File sharing. QR code device verification
The downside: it costs $3 (for life). And obviously isn’t as well known or widespread as kik.
Most of what’s out there (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, MeWe etc) requires you to give out your personal phone number or Facebook and/or isn’t encrypted or has data tracking.
A bunch of us are switching to one called Threema.
The highlights: No ads. No data tracking. No email/phone number. End to end encryption. (Not even stored on the servers, which are in Switzerland!) Secret groups. Timed deletion of messages. Pics. Videos. Voice calls and messages. File sharing. QR code device verification
The downside: it costs $3 (for life). And obviously isn’t as well known or widespread as kik.
I've been using wickr me for a bit and it's been pretty good. Everything you described above: No ads. No data tracking. No email/phone number. End to end encryption. Timed deletion of messages. Pics. Videos. Voice calls and messages. File sharing. QR code device verification and more. For FREE!
I'd recommend it! Plus it has a night mode, for us nerds out here haha
I'd recommend it! Plus it has a night mode, for us nerds out here haha
Wickr has a monthly cost for groups. But yes, if you don't want to spend $3 and aren't a member of any groups - that's another option. (Though we didn't research as much into the security/anonymity aspects of Wickr, because group chat was a requirement for us.)
Just purchased Threema
Yeah, we just wanted one where you didn’t put your phone number in at all. (And don’t have to give out your number to people you meet.) If anonymity isn’t a concern, there are lots of good options!
Any issues with using LINE app? Any reason why you don't like it?
I don’t recall that one off the top of my head. Lots of apps got disqualified right out of the gate. On top of supporting groups and multimedia...
1. If you have to enter an email or phone number AT ALL, it isn’t anonymous.
2. If you have to hand out an email or phone number so that people can contact you, it’s SUPER not anonymous.
3. If messages are stored on a server, then it isn’t secure.
4. I’d rather pay a few bucks than have my data tracked. The old business adage... if you aren’t PAYING for a service, then you’re not the customer—you’re the PRODUCT.
1. If you have to enter an email or phone number AT ALL, it isn’t anonymous.
2. If you have to hand out an email or phone number so that people can contact you, it’s SUPER not anonymous.
3. If messages are stored on a server, then it isn’t secure.
4. I’d rather pay a few bucks than have my data tracked. The old business adage... if you aren’t PAYING for a service, then you’re not the customer—you’re the PRODUCT.
Here is the snopes article https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/is-kik-messenger-app-shutting-down/ they do not have a date yet.
Some people received messages that the kik shutdown is on Friday. But I didn't see it personally, and not everyone has. So it might not be correct.
For people wondering about other apps, there are a bunch of folks on Fet doing research. Here was their initial disqualified list:
Telegram - can’t have secret group rooms with users who have privacy settings enabled
Slack - too many members use slack for work and don’t want to switch between multiple accounts throughout the day
Line - Non group members can see any pictures uploaded to the group
WhatsApp - owned by Facebook / security levels will change
Viber - you have to have someone's phone number in your contacts to add them to a group and they don't accept alternative /Google voice numbers
GroupMe - Owned by Microsoft.. you need people’s phone numbers to add them to the room
MeWe - no videos and can’t access “hidden”’picture folders
WeChat - needs phone number for sign ups, unsure of google Voice numbers work
Our research further disqualified:
Wickr - No secret group chat
Signal - Your account uses your phone number
Riot - Looked promising, but apparently the UI is bad. Between this one and Threema, Threema got the nod.
For people wondering about other apps, there are a bunch of folks on Fet doing research. Here was their initial disqualified list:
Telegram - can’t have secret group rooms with users who have privacy settings enabled
Slack - too many members use slack for work and don’t want to switch between multiple accounts throughout the day
Line - Non group members can see any pictures uploaded to the group
WhatsApp - owned by Facebook / security levels will change
Viber - you have to have someone's phone number in your contacts to add them to a group and they don't accept alternative /Google voice numbers
GroupMe - Owned by Microsoft.. you need people’s phone numbers to add them to the room
MeWe - no videos and can’t access “hidden”’picture folders
WeChat - needs phone number for sign ups, unsure of google Voice numbers work
Our research further disqualified:
Wickr - No secret group chat
Signal - Your account uses your phone number
Riot - Looked promising, but apparently the UI is bad. Between this one and Threema, Threema got the nod.
How about using a good old fashioned paper cup phone. It requires no phone number and nothing to encrypt. For those that are not old enough to remember...it works by transmitting sound vibrations along a tightly-pulled string. The bottom of each cup serves as a combination "microphone" and "speaker," picking up sound vibrations on one and reproducing the sound at the other. The phone is easy to make from inexpensive materials like “dixie” cups & string you can find around your home or local grocery store. 🤣
SOMEWHERENTIME wrote:The string between the cups needs to be shorter 😀!
How about using a good old fashioned paper cup phone. It requires no phone number and nothing to encrypt. For those that are not old enough to remember...it works by transmitting sound vibrations along a tightly-pulled string. The bottom of each cup serves as a combination "microphone" and "speaker," picking up sound vibrations on one and reproducing the sound at the other. The phone is easy to make from inexpensive materials like “dixie” cups & string you can find around your home or local grocery store. 🤣
I loaded up Threema if anyone wants to test.
Digging telegram, think it’ll serve our purposes.
Discord is an option as well, not end to end encrypted but alot of flexibility and you don't have to give out your personal information to anyone.
If kik does shut down the big issue that I see is that there won't be one single app that is used by most people. I'll have to sign up for several apps to be able to reach different people unless these apps let you communicate cross apps. I'm not very app savvy but that's what it looks like to me. Do we buy VHS or Betamax?
whats wrong with just texting via ur cell phone number? all smart phone will allow u to block a number if the contact u chatting with turns out to be an asshole
whats wrong with just texting via ur cell phone number? all smart phone will allow u to block a number if the contact u chatting with turns out to be an asshole
whats wrong with just texting via ur cell phone number? all smart phone will allow u to block a number if the contact u chatting with turns out to be an asshole
Also keep in mind that Kik services over 100 million. The developer can easily sell it off and there is a very good likelihood that someone will grab it up as it is an instant database of connected and dedicated users.
However, if it does shut down, Telegram had been around a long time, had end-to-end encryption, and as long as you turn off phone number visibility, it is anonymous to everyone except maybe law enforcement. A lot of people already use it so it may be the easiest switch from Kik. Another perk is it allows gifs and Kik doesn't, among other benefits Kik doesn't have. It's also free which makes it easy to try.
However, if it does shut down, Telegram had been around a long time, had end-to-end encryption, and as long as you turn off phone number visibility, it is anonymous to everyone except maybe law enforcement. A lot of people already use it so it may be the easiest switch from Kik. Another perk is it allows gifs and Kik doesn't, among other benefits Kik doesn't have. It's also free which makes it easy to try.
I am surprised more people here aren't setting up a secondary gmail account and then setting up a google voice number with that email account.
We saw multiple reports that this was a false story. I guess we'll all find out tomorrow . . . but saw some pretty credible info via some of our KIK friends that its fake news.
Time will tell!
Time will tell!
We figured Kik shuts down then it's just time to be off of it and go old fashioned how to meet and talk to people
From what I've read, it is shutting down. But the fake news is the date. It's still TBD.
trying out threema. If someone wants to test it add us USKMZRVV
Been doing some testing
Mewe - Lots of the Reddit LS groups are going there. Good for groups, can be anonymous, not as secure as others, hard to find groups.
Wickr - Very secure, can be anonymous, pay to have groups and can only do up to 10
Telegram - Secure end to end, but need to give your phone number and no searchable groups
Signal - secure, but have to give your phone number
These are just a few I've tried recently. There are others, but really it comes down to what you want. Do you want secure? Do you want anonymity? Do you want groups? What are the people in your circle using?
Mewe - Lots of the Reddit LS groups are going there. Good for groups, can be anonymous, not as secure as others, hard to find groups.
Wickr - Very secure, can be anonymous, pay to have groups and can only do up to 10
Telegram - Secure end to end, but need to give your phone number and no searchable groups
Signal - secure, but have to give your phone number
These are just a few I've tried recently. There are others, but really it comes down to what you want. Do you want secure? Do you want anonymity? Do you want groups? What are the people in your circle using?
Yes it’s all down to the features you want. We wanted secure, anonymous AND groups. So our group all went to Threema. If you’re willing to drop any or all of those features, then there are many more options.
Here is a good breakdown of all the option. Riot is probably the best. Although, admittedly, the riot UI may not be great.
Swingular could even run their own server if they wanted.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-UlA4-tslROBDS9IqHalWVztqZo7uxlCeKPQ-8uoFOU/htmlview
Swingular could even run their own server if they wanted.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-UlA4-tslROBDS9IqHalWVztqZo7uxlCeKPQ-8uoFOU/htmlview
Personally I think it would be nice if it were all in one spot. I understand for that to be effective you have to have an engaged ownership of a site that makes $$ so they can afford to upkeep it. This site is very inexpensive, to the point we became lifetime members 8 years ago and haven’t paid since.
We are thinking of moving to an all exclusive site that has functioning chat options, personal profiles, event calendars, party pages, etc. I’ve been doing some research but really just beginning. Mostly I’ve found that Utahns are mostly here, and spread among many others. If any knows of a mass migration, or pilgrimage of sorts, let us know!
We are thinking of moving to an all exclusive site that has functioning chat options, personal profiles, event calendars, party pages, etc. I’ve been doing some research but really just beginning. Mostly I’ve found that Utahns are mostly here, and spread among many others. If any knows of a mass migration, or pilgrimage of sorts, let us know!
I have been using Telegram in the vanilla world. Mostly with a few business connections. Neither one us of mind sharing our phone numbers or other sorts of contact media with people we meet through the swinging lifestyle, after we have established some trust. Whereas there are a few somewhat rude and or unsavory, to downright despicable sorts lurking about, we prefer to use a contact system that allows us to do a bit of vetting before we decide to actually meet someone and then maybe share our personal contact information. Swingular has an email system, private messages, which work most of the time and a chat room. Beyond that we have a KiK account, which we used occasionally. We have established a Threema account for the two of us. We will establish a second account, so we both have our own accounts after we have vetted the system a bit. Since we are not apposed to meeting with couples, single females and yes, select single men, and that means you have to brush off the creepers, her private contact information, including something like a KiK or a Threema account if withheld until we know we have found someone special.
Threema for us as well. Discretion is extremely important to us and Threema checks ALL the boxes and then some.
D&D
D&D
So looks like kik got bought and is staying. Mewe was OK, except they are deleting NSFW groups.
Seems Kik not shutting down.
Oh is THAT what happened to the mewe group? I thought I was booted for non-participation or something. Haha! Well yeah, KIK is still alive and...KIKing, though the chat group I was in is pretty slow now.