Edward Snowden has given a stark warning not to use Google's new Allo messaging app, which launched this week.

The NSA whistleblower claims that the the 'smart' messaging app which integrates Google's virtual assistant does not feature important privacy measures that the tech firm said it would have.

Speaking in a series of tweets, the security expert said that the app should be completely avoided.

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Government whistleblower Edward Snowden (pictured) says that people should not use Google's Allo app if they care about their privacy

Google has been criticised for not including the promised end-to-end encryption in the app when it first launched and reportedly storing messages indefinitely.

Allo is 'A Google app that records every message you ever send and makes it available to police upon request,' said Snowden.

The start warning about Google's new Allo app was given by Edward Snowden on Twitter

Google has been criticised for not including the promised end-to-end encryption in the app when it first launched and reportedly storing messages indefinitely, but the company claims that users do have control over their private messages

However, Google claims that users have still have control over their personal messages.

A Google spokesperson said: 'We've given users transparency and control over their data in Google Allo.

'And our approach is simple - your chat history is saved for you until you choose to delete it.

'You can delete single messages or entire conversations in Allo.

'We also provide the option to chat in Incognito mode, where messages are end-to-end encrypted and you can set a timer to automatically delete messages for your device and the person you're chatting with's device at a set time.'

This photo combo of images provided by Google demonstrates the use of the company's new Allo app. Google wants to modernize phone chats by bringing a personal virtual assistant to conversations

The new Allo app, launched globally earlier this week, and aims to keep chats flowing by suggesting words and emojis to add to messages.

The app also includes an 'assistant' to suggest restaurant recommendations when food is mentioned, and can send daily weather and sport updates.

WHAT CAN ALLO DO? Personal Assistant: Chats often involve making plans, and when this is the case Google Assistant can retrieve information on nearby restaurants, movie times and even the weather. Beyond planning, Google Assistant can give you the latest news and sports scores, translate phrases or do math calculations. Asking for directions will bring up Google Maps. Smart Replies: The 'Smart Reply' feature lets people keep their conversation moving with a single tap by suggesting text and emoji responses based on their personality. Expressions: Plain text is boring, so Allo features a slider that can make your messages and emojis larger or smaller. You can send one of hundreds of virtual stickers specifically designed for Allo. Advertisement

Google started the global roll-out of the free app on 21 September, just a week after Apple updated its own Messages app with iOS 10 software update.

The app should be available to download to users over the world.

Apple's Messages works on iPhones and iPads, while Allo will work for iPhones and Android phones, but not tablets.

The new Allo app promises to be 'smart', but it might not be smart enough to persuade people they need another chat app.



'Today, we're releasing Google Allo, a new smart messaging app for Android and iOS that helps you say more and do more right in your chats,' a Google blog said on the day of the launch.

The 'Smart Reply' feature lets people keep their conversation moving with a single tap by suggesting text and emoji responses based on their personality.

For example, Allo will learn if someone is more of a 'haha' or 'lol' person so the more someone uses the app, the more personal the suggestions become.

The idea is to keep the conversation flowing, so users do not have to constantly leave Allo to look up something else.

The Smart Replies feature in Allo can help cut down on typing on small screens by suggesting replies based on context.

It preserves chatting shortcuts such as 'u'' for 'you' - Apple offers something similar on its smartwatch, but not phones or tablets.

Allo will also analyse photos to suggest replies such as 'beautiful smile' or 'the skyline looks great!' - at least for photos with smiles or skylines.

The Smart Replies feature in Allo can help cut down on typing on small screens by suggesting replies based on context. It preserves chatting shortcuts such as 'u'' for 'you' - Apple offers something similar on its smartwatch, but not phones or tablets

HOW IT WORKS Allo accesses Google's smart assistant, which uses the firms neural networks and search engine. It allows users to chat with friends and workers, and has a new feature called 'shout' allowing users to change the size messages appear depending on how important they are. It also predicts responses to posts, and even pictures by analysing what's in them, and has Google's assistant built in. This allows the app to use Googe's search capabilities to access the assistant when booking restaurants, using OpenTable to make bookings, for instance. Advertisement

Chats often involve making plans, and when this is the case Google Assistant can retrieve information on nearby restaurants, movie times and even the weather.

Everyone in the chat will see the Assistant's replies and can weigh in on the choices.

In some cases, Google Assistant will even anticipate needs, such as when someone's asking about getting sushi.

An oval bubble appears with an offer to retrieve nearby sushi restaurants. After choosing one, you can tap for opening hours, directions or the menu.

Reservations aren't available yet, though Google is considering third-party integrations such as OpenTable for dinner and Airbnb for accommodations.

People can write on photos (pictured) before they send them, like Snapchat. Allo will also analyse photos to suggest replies such as 'beautiful smile' or 'the skyline looks great!' - at least for photos with smiles or skylines

In some cases, Google Assistant will even anticipate needs, such as when someone's asking about getting sushi. An oval bubble appears with an offer to retrieve nearby sushi restaurants. After choosing one, you can tap for opening hours, directions or the menu

Beyond planning, Google Assistant can send the latest news and sports scores, translate phrases or do calculations.

Asking for directions will bring up Google Maps.

Though Google Assistant is an evolution of the Google Now feature that has long been on phones, it does not do as much as Google Now in terms of identifying patterns or checking other Google services.

For instance, if a friend asks when a flight leaves, Allo won't try to suggest a reply, even though Google has your calendar.

Likewise, Google Assistant will not automatically offer traffic conditions or transit schedules for a regular commute the way Google Now does.

The 'Smart Reply' feature lets people keep their conversation moving with a single tap by suggesting text and emoji (pictured) responses based on their personality

Plain text is boring, so Allo features a slider that can make messages and emojis larger or smaller.

Users can send one of hundreds of virtual stickers specifically designed for Allo.

Apple's Messages app has a variation on this - users can make a message 'loud,' such that the chat bubble briefly gets larger, or make it 'gentle' and appear in small text.

One problem with both of these apps is that friends need to be using the same app to see the desired effect.

Google will send text messages to non-Allo friends, but without the special effects.

Apple Messages will add notations such as 'sent with Loud Effect' to those on Android or older versions of Messages.

Beyond making its Assistant smarter, Google will need to persuade people they need yet another chat app, something that could be tough given that Google already offers four of them.

Google's Hangouts text and video calling service will now only be targeted at business users.

Allo is the consumer offering, but will not offer video calling - that is where the new Duo video calling app comes in.

While Allo accounts are based on your phone number, not your Google ID, you cannot use Allo to receive regular texts.