Metadata
Metadata is data about data; it’s data which describes or gives information about other data. In its most basic form, metadata is the data associated with a message but not included in its contents, like for instance:
- Who sent/received a message (including unique identifiers);
- Time message was sent;
- Server handling the message (specifically in email);
- Location of device when message was sent;
- Client used to send a message (specifically in email).
Metadata can tell the whole story without ever reading the message contents Metadata can be used to track you.
Messaging apps not collecting metadata
Some messenger limit metadata, however some of them require your phone number email.
- Signal
- Session
- Threema
- Element
- Olvid