You can use signal encrypted or not. Also, they have permissions to access your contacts and ask for a phone number.
Telegram is also usually used unencrypted, but has a secret chat option.
You cannot use Signal in non-encrypted mode (unless I'm missing something). Telegram is by default not encrypted, so I wouldn't recommend it for anything important.
reply
If you both have signal, its automatically encrypted, but you know how it can just do texts if you have signal and the other person doesnt? Then, its not.
reply
Oh I thought they already removed the ability to do just texts.
reply