Following the launch of Google's messaging app "Allo" and its accompanying Assistant bot, security experts are up in arms over Google reneging on a promise [to] better protect its users. NSA-contractor-turned-whistleblower Edward Snowden did a hot take on Allo yesterday, after its US launch, and came to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a honeypot for US surveillance efforts.
By Edward Snowden
The controversy goes back to Google's developer conference, I/O, back in May. There, Google demonstrated the new application to a crowd at Shoreline Amphitheater while promising Allo would be encrypted and safe for users. I was in attendance, as was TNW alum Nate Swanner, who penned this after the announcement:
Allo uses end-to-end encryption, too - at least via an incognito mode (just like Chrome!). You'll also be able to decide how long messages stick around.
If you're looking for something similar, Allo is a bit like a private, semi-automated Facebook social layer that you can use privately.