If you ever played with a toy as a child walkie talkie and you had fun organizing secret missions with your friends, now you can relive that experience in a much more technological way. Thanks to have have, an innovative application of French origin, it is possible Turn your Android phone into a walkie-talkie digital and communicate via instant voice messages. This phenomenon, which has been particularly popular among young people in France, has sparked as much passion as it has raised concerns, especially regarding privacy.
What is Ten Ten and why is it so popular?
have have It is a voice messaging app that has achieved enormous popularity, especially among teenagers and young people, thanks to its simplicity, immediacy and retro formatIts main attraction is the possibility of communicate in real time, emulating the experience of classic walkie-talkies but taking advantage of the global connectivity of today's smartphones.
Since its launch, the application has accumulated million downloads and appears at the top of the app stores. Its viral success has been especially notable on platforms like TikTok, where videos showing its operation and users sharing their user codes to expand their network of contacts within Ten Ten.
The idea behind Ten Ten is to offer a communication channel less formal and closer than a call or even an audio recording on WhatsApp. The sense of immediacy and the nostalgia factor have been key to its popularity, positioning it as the app of the moment among young people in several European countries, including Spain.
How Ten Ten Works: Real-Time Communication
Using Ten Ten is extraordinarily simpleAfter downloading the app from the Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOS, the user must register, which can be done using an email address, Google account, or TikTok.
The application will request certain key permissions to ensure its operation, including:
- Access to contact list (essential to communicate with other Ten Ten users).
- Permission to use the microphone (required to record voice messages).
- Permission to receive notifications and operate even with the locked screen.
- Access to approximate location, camera, and network.
Once the permissions have been granted and the profile configured, the user can add contacts using your address book or through user codes shared on social media. After selecting the person you want to send a message to, simply hold down the record button, speak, and release the voice to send the message.
The great peculiarity of Ten Ten is that the voice messages are played automatically on the receiving device. This happens even if the phone is locked, allowing the message to be heard instantly, without the recipient needing to accept or interact with it beforehand. This direct experience is what has made the app popular, as it turns any mobile phone into a virtual walkie-talkie.
Main features and comparison with other apps
- Instant communication: Voice messages that are automatically transmitted and played.
- Retro simplicity: The interface is reminiscent of classic walkie-talkies, with a central talk button and very basic functionality.
- Unlimited friend groups: It is possible to create as many groups as desired to establish different communication networks.
- Ephemeral messages: Voice messages are not stored, reinforcing the feeling of immediacy and privacy.
- No in-app purchases: Currently, the app is completely free and without micropayments.
Differences from other platforms:
- WhatsApp and Telegram: Although they allow voice messages to be sent, they require interaction from the recipient to listen to them. Furthermore, they are stored and can be played back later.
- Instagram: It focuses on visual content, exposure and entertainment, as opposed to Ten Ten's direct communication.
- Signal: It stands out for its security and end-to-end encryption, but it also does not automatically play messages.
The experience that Ten Ten offers is unique precisely because eliminate friction in communication: just record the message and your contact will listen to it instantly, playing it even if the phone is in standby mode.
Privacy and risks: controversy in France and warnings in Europe
El Ten Ten boom has been accompanied by an intense debate on privacy and securityIn France, where the app was created by Jule Colmar and Antoine Baché, the Minister of the Interior Camille Chaize has expressed public concern, stating that “behind the fun lurks serious dangers to online privacy and security.”
The main doubts arise for several reasons:
- Autoplay messages: Anyone who has your username and adds you can send you messages that are reproduced without consent, creating risks of harassment, practical jokes, and public exposure of private conversations, especially in places like schools or gatherings.
- Access and management of sensitive data: The app collects Name, phone number, nicknames, IP address, location, contact list, camera, photos, device ID, email and contact preferences.
- Incomplete Privacy Policy: According to authorities, the privacy legal document is not fully developed and leaves questions about the processing and protection of personal data.
- Sharing codes on social networks: Many young people share their Ten Ten ID on TikTok and other social media platforms, opening the door to unfiltered contact from strangers.
Despite the controversy, the creators assure that the messages are ephemeral and are not stored on their servers, nor can third parties listen to or record them, minimizing the risk of espionage. Furthermore, they insist that They do not sell personal data to external companies.
The French authorities have issued specific recommendations: use the app with caution, Encourage the parental supervision For minors, disable notifications in public and educational places and block any unwanted contactsThey also emphasize the importance of educating people about the dangers of cyberbullying and managing online privacy, as the risk of harassment or unwanted access is considerable if codes are shared publicly.
Advantages and ideal use cases for Ten Ten
- Instant group communication: Ideal for coordinating activities with friends or family, such as excursions, carpooling, or sporting events.
- Direct experience and without protocols: The ability to speak and have your message heard immediately facilitates immediacy in contexts where speed is important.
- Fun and nostalgic atmosphere: Its gamified, vintage format turns any interaction into something playful and spontaneous, reminiscent of old walkie-talkies.
- Ephemeral messages for greater privacy: When messages disappear after being heard, no records are stored, which can prevent conflicts and misunderstandings about old messages.
However, its use must be limited and conscious. It is recommended to use it mainly in circles of trust and avoid openly sharing personal identifiers, as exposure to unknown users significantly increases the risk of harassment or unwanted interruptions.
Permissions and settings: What does the app request?
- Permission to access the contact list.
- Permission to use the microphone.
- Access to approximate location, which can be useful for certain social functionalities, but poses a risk if not managed well.
- Permission to avoid standby mode from the device and not lose messages.
- Permission to use the camera and access photos and device identifiers.
Analyzing these permissions carefully is essential to avoid surprises and understand what information we are giving away. It is advisable to review the Privacy Policy and adjust the notification and privacy options depending on the use we are going to give it.
How to download Ten Ten and start using it?
La application is available for free for Android and iOS. You can search for it as have have on the Google Play Store or App Store. Once installed:
- Register with your email, Google or TikTok.
- Accept the permissions requested (keep in mind which ones are essential for its operation and which ones are optional).
- Add friends using your mobile phone's address book or by entering the user PIN provided to you.
- start communicating by pressing the central button and sending audios in real time.
Remember that all participants must have the app installed to receive messages in walkie-talkie format.
Is Ten Ten safe? Tips for responsible use
El Ten Ten's main risk lies in the immediate transmission and reproduction of voice messages. While its creators insist on the ephemeral and private nature of the system, the access to sensitive information and the possibility of being harassed or receiving unwanted messages is real if the app is used carelessly.
practical tips to minimize risks:
- Add only to known people And trustworthy.
- Do not publish your PIN or user code on open social networks.
- Disable notifications at sensitive times or contexts such as work, school or meetings.
- Educate minors about privacy risks and online harassment.
- Block and report any user who causes disturbance or sends inappropriate messages.
- Check periodically the Privacy Policy and adjust the permissions on the mobile.
The app doesn't yet have a large-scale monetization model, but its success has led developers to work on new systems to more effectively manage contacts and strengthen privacy safeguards.
Comparison with social networks and other messaging apps
Although Ten Ten shares the concept of voice messaging With apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal, your user experience is radically differentWhile these services require the recipient to play the audio manually and store the messages, Ten Ten opts for transience and total immediacyThis gives us an advantage in speed and excitement, but also exposes us to risks if we don't properly control our contacts.
WhatsApp y Telegram They offer a more secure experience by enabling lock management, message protection, and end-to-end encryption. Instagram and other social networks, although they offer communication via messages, are more focused on visual content and do not allow for such direct voice communication.
Ten Ten's unique proposal lies precisely in evoking the face-to-face communication of the walkie-talkie but brought into the digital environment, with all the pros and cons that this entails.
The retro communication revolution is in full swing. The challenge will be finding a balance between fun, ease of use, and the necessary security and privacy safeguards. If you value instant communication and nostalgia, and accept the associated risks and precautions, Ten Ten could become your go-to app for talking like never before with your friends and family.
If you're up for it, you can download it to your phone from Google Play or the App Store and experience the digital walkie-talkie for yourself. But remember: privacy and common sense should always come before technological fashion.
The arrival of Ten Ten in Spain and its rapid growth among young users highlights the pros and cons of new forms of digital communication. As its expansion continues, the debate about privacy and digital responsibility becomes increasingly necessary, urging us not to lose sight of personal security in the age of immediacy.
And you? What do you think of the French app Ten Ten for walkie-talkie-style voice messages? Are you willing to sacrifice some privacy for immediacy and fun?
