Messaging apps have not only become a gold mine for developers. Some of the most powerful companies are also conducting their own experiments in this field to gain more loyalty from a mass made up of millions of consumers for whom unlimited communication has become essential in their day-to-day with tablets. or smartphones. To WhatsApp, Telegram and a long list of tools that we have presented to you over the last few months, Google Allo intends to join, the commitment of those from Mountain View in this field with which they intend to put aside the failures of platforms such as Google +
With Duo, of which we previously gave you more details, the owner of Android and the popular search engine aims to set a before and after in the field of messaging apps. However, the expectations placed on both can be greatly overshadowed by a series of problems especially related to user safety and which are often common. Next, we will tell you more about these setbacks and we give you some tips that may be useful if in the end you decide to download the platform.
Google and privacy
In a few years, the protection of the public has not only focused on offering the best guarantee to avoid viruses and attacks, but millions of people have demanded greater decision-making capacity when managing their data and more sensitive information that can be attractive to hackers, and also a claim for companies of all kinds that can leave the consumer with some helplessness. To meet these privacy needs, we have seen some progress from Google in elements such as Android, among which we can highlight the control of application permissions. However, and as we have recalled on other occasions, there is still much to do in this area.
What about Allo?
With the arrival of this app just a few days ago, the controversy about the requirements it needs to function has also appeared. Despite the improvements to the green robot software that we have discussed a few lines above, Allo needs full access to the terminal with all that this entails: From personal data such as name and surname, to access to the galleries, information on the tablet or smartphone in which we install it, and of course, the location. Although among its strengths it has the encryption and even an artificial intelligence, the latter must be deactivated if we want the conversations to be kept secret.
A discreet launch
Unlike what usually happens with other products of the company such as its Nexus terminals or the presentation of new members of the family Android, the arrival of Allo has been modest if we take into account that currently, there are only versions in some languages despite the fact that its creators are working hard to extend it to more languages. On the other hand, you have to face a very important challenge called Whatsapp. And the thing is, the messaging platform continues to be the leader with more than 1.100 million users. But it is not the only one, since the following in the world ranking: Telegram and Line, with several hundred million downloads each, and the existence of a very wide offer, may be more reasons why the public does not have too much interest in what is new from Google.
If we finally download it, how can we have safe chats?
Despite the doubts and credibility that Google may arouse with its new platform, there are some functions that can be useful at first glance if we want to feel protected while using this app. The most prominent are the use of self-destruct system content and the option to create private cats. Activating these functions is simple: Just go to the bottom right and click on the bluish icon that will appear there. Once this is done, a menu will appear with the option "Start incognito chat". Here, we can select the contact with whom we want to use this feature. As for the deletion system, we can also configure the time and day that the messages will be deleted.
Today, it is very difficult to ensure complete privacy and protection of the public. Through not only Allo, but the apps we use daily, we can see how our data can be handled by hundreds of people with and without our consent. After learning more about the challenges that another messaging app faces, do you think that here we are witnessing an example of how large companies do not try too hard to provide a good experience for the use of their products by the public? Do you think that over time these problems will be solved and it will become a good option capable of competing against the larger ones? While these unknowns are revealed, we leave you more related information such as, for example, how to try to offer all this on Android so you can learn more.