[OTR] would probably be a goto for encrypting instant messages. But both that & PGP require a 3rd-party client (pidgin/adium/etc...), if user wants to retain at

[OTR] would probably be a goto for encrypting instant messages. But both that & PGP require a 3rd-party client (pidgin/adium/etc...), if user wants to retain at least some usability. And nowadays, every popular IM network wants 3rd-party clients off their net at all costs. Signal is on the better side of the spectrum here. While they explicitly say they don't support non-official clients connecting to the official network, this isn't rigorously enforced. WA, on the other hand, would permaban your whole account if you even so much as try to use 3rd-party client. [] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-the-Record_Messaging https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-the-Record_Messaging