After around a decade in business, Kik recently announced they will be shutting down their messenger in October 2019. Being the more private alternative to Watsapp, Kik has been used by sex workers as a safe way of connecting with clients and offering services.
Though there is no app that matches all the features of Kik as of now, here are a few alternatives to consider. You may have to use two instead more than one apps if you were selling content online.
Telegram
Telegram has been around for a couple of years and was released with a focus on user data protection. The app is open source and features end to end protection.
The app is available on Android, iOS. PC and Mac.
Key Features For Sex Workers:
- Screenshot Protection
- Self-destructing messages
- End-to-Encyption with the Secret Chats feature
Cons
- Video calling is not available
- Requires Phone Number to sign-up
How to optimize the App for Privacy:
- Even though it requires a phone number to sign-up, you can use an app like Fongo to generate a phone number different from your main phone number to meet this requirement anonymously.
- Sign up with a fake name and email address
- Only use Secret Chats
- Ensure that Phone Number is set to sharing with Nobody in Privacy and Security Settings.
- Ensure that Sync Contacts is set to Off in Privacy and Security Settings.
Things to Lookout For:
- They are based out of Russia and Dubai
Wickr
Wickr is one of the newer apps on the scene and closely matches Kik sans the social features. The app is fairly easy to use and like Kik does not require a phone number to sign up.
The app is available on Android and iOS.
Key Features For Sex Workers:
- Screenshot Protection
- Self-destructing messages
- End-to-Encyption
- Anonymous sign-up
Cons
- Video calling is not available in Free version.
- Requires Phone Number to sign-up
How to optimize the App for Privacy:
- Sign up with a fake name and email address
Things to Lookout For:
- Wickr has a focus on Enterprise as well so they may not be that tolerant to adult content on their servers in the future
Discord
Discord is one the best alternatives to Kik which features video calling. It doesn’t have End-to-End encryption.
It is available for Android, iOS and MacOS.
Key Features For Sex Workers:
- Videochat available
- Screenshot protection
- You can use Discord servers for promotion like Reddit
Cons
- No self-destructing messages
- No End-to-End encryption
How to optimize the App for Privacy:
- Sign up with a fake name and email address
Skype
Everyone uses Skype but has some flaws.
It is available for Android, iOS, Mac and PC.
Key Features For Sex Workers:
- Videochat available
- Screenshot protection
Cons
- No self-destructing messages
- No clear policy on End-to-End encryption
How to optimize the App for Privacy:
- Sign up with a fake name and email address
- Go to Account & Profile in Settings and make sure you are comfortable showing the D.O.B, Location etc to randoms. I recommend faking it specially your D.O.B.
Line
Line is a popular app in Asia which is also one of its biggest downsides. I don’t recommend it just for that reason.
Key Features For Sex Workers:
- End-to-Encyption
- Video
Cons
- Requires Phone Number or Facebook to sign-up
- No self-destructing messages, no screenshot protection