Video calling has become an essential part of our daily lives. With popular apps like FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom, connecting with friends, family, and coworkers via video chat is easier than ever. However, concerns over privacy and security have also grown as video calling has become more prevalent. When choosing a video calling platform, you want one that is reliable, easy to use, and secure. Here are some key factors to consider when determining what video call options are safe to use versus ones that should be avoided.
Encryption
One of the most important safety features for any video calling platform is end-to-end encryption. Encryption means that the video and audio from your call is scrambled while it is transmitted from device to device. This prevents third parties from being able to access or eavesdrop on your conversations. The strongest encryption currently used is AES 256-bit encryption. Platforms like FaceTime, Signal, and WhatsApp offer this level of encryption to protect your privacy. Zoom also provides end-to-end encryption, but users have to enable it manually before each call. Platforms without end-to-end encryption should generally be avoided when you want to ensure secure video calls.
When encryption is used
Here are some of the top video calling apps and their encryption practices:
| App | End-to-End Encryption? |
| FaceTime | Yes, enabled by default |
| Yes, enabled by default | |
| Signal | Yes, enabled by default |
| Zoom | Optional, not enabled by default |
| Skype | No |
| Google Hangouts | No |
As you can see, FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Signal are generally the most secure choices when it comes to encryption for video calling. Zoom does offer encryption but requires users to turn it on manually, which is an extra step many may forget or neglect to take. Skype and Hangouts do not provide end-to-end encryption at all, making them less secure options.
User Authentication
In addition to encryption, strong user authentication is important for a secure video chatting experience. User authentication means verifying the identities of the people on either end of the call to ensure imposters cannot access the conversation. The most secure video chat apps require users to authenticate their identities in some way before joining calls.
For example, FaceTime relies on Apple’s ecosystem of device IDs, phone numbers, and Apple IDs to confirm users. WhatsApp uses phone numbers and SMS verification codes. Google Hangouts uses Google accounts. More secure options like Signal utilize phone numbers combined with PINs.
Requiring 2-factor or multi-factor authentication is the best way for a video chat provider to ensure people are who they claim to be. This adds an extra layer of identity confirmation beyond just a username and password. Apps that allow users to easily create anonymous accounts and join calls without verifying identities pose security risks.
Video chat apps requiring minimal authentication
Here are some examples of popular video chat apps with minimal authentication requirements:
| App | Authentication Process |
| Zoom | Only needs an email address to create an account |
| Houseparty | No account creation required to join calls |
| Chatroulette | Completely anonymous with no authentication |
| Discord | Only username and password required |
As you can see from the table above, Zoom, Houseparty, Chatroulette, and Discord all have concerningly lax authentication requirements. A username and password is not enough to prove someone’s true identity. While these apps may be convenient to use, their lack of rigorous verification procedures poses risks of attackers gaining access to chats. Sticking with apps that authenticate users through secure mechanisms like verified phone numbers, multi-factor authentication, and trusted device IDs provides better protection.
Moderation Capabilities
In addition to technical protections like encryption and authentication, the moderation capabilities provided by a video chatting platform are important for safety. Moderation allows hosts to control sessions and prevent abuse or hacking attempts. Features like password-protected rooms, mute controls, and kick/ban tools are essential for enabling hosts to manage their video chats.
For example, Zoom provides extensive moderation abilities like muting audio, disabling video, removing participants, creating waiting rooms, and allowing hosts to control screen sharing. WhatsApp has more limited controls, mainly just the ability to remove participants and moderate groups. However, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption provides technical limitations on abuse. Platforms with strong encryption but weak moderation may be less risky than unencrypted apps with robust controls, since the encryption prevents snooping even from the platform itself.
Video apps lacking moderation features
Here are some examples of popular video chat apps lacking sufficient moderation capabilities:
| App | Moderation Weaknesses |
| Chatroulette | No ability to kick or ban abusive users |
| Omegle | No moderation controls whatsoever |
| Twitch | Limited ban abilities for channel owners only |
| Discord | No participant mute or kick controls |
Platforms like Chatroulette, Omegle, and Discord provide virtually no way for hosts to moderate conversations or curb abuse. This makes anonymous harassment and attacks much easier on these platforms. Twitch provides better protections but still lacks controls for individual stream owners to enforce safety in their channels. When evaluating video chat options, look for robust moderation so you can maintain control over your virtual room.
Closed vs. Open Platforms
Another key safety consideration for video chat apps is whether they operate as closed platforms or open platforms. Closed platforms require users to have an account in order to access features. This provides more control over who can participate. Open platforms allow people to join sessions anonymously without an account.
For example, FaceTime and WhatsApp are closed platforms restricted to Apple devices and phone numbers, respectively. In contrast, Chatroulette and websites like Omegle are open to anyone without accounts. Closed ecosystems tend to offer more privacy protections and prevent abuse by banning violating accounts. Open ecosystems make it harder to hold anyone accountable for inappropriate behaviors.
Here are some examples of major video chat platforms and whether they are closed or open:
| App | Closed or Open? |
| FaceTime | Closed |
| Closed | |
| Google Hangouts | Closed |
| Zoom | Can be either – hosts can choose |
| Chatroulette | Completely open |
| Omegle | Completely open |
In general, closed platforms are much safer than open ones for video chatting. However, even some closed apps like Zoom give hosts the option to enable join links that make sessions public. So it depends on how the host configures settings and protects invitations. But open platforms like Omegle provide no limitations on random strangers accessing your camera, making them high risk.
Data Mining & Targeted Advertising
Many video chat apps collect data and engage in targeted advertising, which raise additional privacy concerns. Information about your conversations, connections, interests, and more can be gathered and monetized by platforms to serve you targeted ads. This data gathering happens behind the scenes without your informed consent.
For example, Facebook Messenger calls, WhatsApp calls, and Skype calls may seem private, but metadata can be collected about your conversations and used for ads. Google Hangouts also utilizes your data for advertising purposes. This is because these platforms connect to large tech ecosystems focused on data mining and personalized ads.
In contrast, Apple’s FaceTime does not collect data for ads due to Apple’s strict privacy standards that apply across their products. Open source apps like Jitsi also avoid targeted advertising and data harvesting due to their nonprofit models focused on privacy. When evaluating video chat tools, consider their business incentives around data usage and advertising to assess how safely they handle your personal information.
Video apps engaging in data mining and targeted ads
| App | Data Collection & Targeted Ads? |
| Facebook Messenger | Yes |
| Yes (owned by Facebook) | |
| Google Hangouts | Yes |
| Skype | Yes (owned by Microsoft) |
| Zoom | No |
| Jitsi | No |
While Zoom, Jitsi, and some other platforms avoid data mining due to their focus on enterprise privacy, many big tech video chat options engage in significant user data collection and ad targeting. Watch out for these practices when evaluating platforms to understand the tradeoffs around convenience, features, and privacy.
Conclusion
Video chatting has made staying in touch easier than ever, but it introduces risks around privacy and security if not done safely. To determine what video call options are secure versus risky to use, look for platforms that provide end-to-end encryption, robust user authentication, strong moderation capabilities, closed ecosystems, and avoidance of data mining. Leading apps like FaceTime and Signal excel in these areas compared to more questionable options like Chatroulette and Omegle.
No video chat platform is 100% secure and private since communications over the internet always carry some risks. However, being aware of the practices and policies around encryption, authentication, moderation, data collection, and infrastructure for major video chat apps allows you to make informed decisions. It helps you balance functionality, usability, and privacy to find a video calling solution you can trust as much as possible.
With precautions like using secured apps, controlling meeting invites, and being careful about what is shown or discussed on camera, video chatting can be a fun and convenient way to stay connected. Taking some basic steps allows you to reap the benefits of seeing loved ones virtually while minimizing privacy downsides. In a world relying increasingly on digital communications, understanding secure video chat options is an important way to maintain safety and confidence while using the tools that keep us close even when physically apart.
In summary, research which video platforms have the best practices when it comes to encryption, authentication, moderation, ethics around data usage, infrastructure security, and company reputation. Look for trusted brands known for respecting user privacy, transparent policies, and robust cybersecurity measures. Avoid shady apps, sites, or services with questionable practices, overreach into data harvesting, or anonymity that can provide cover for bad actors. And whatever platforms you choose, be smart about what you share and with whom to enjoy secure video connections while preserving your peace of mind.