Frontline Tech

Category: Video Chat with Newcomers

Video chat tools you can use to have video conversations and meetings with 1-on-1 or group settings.

  • SpatialChat

    Description

    SpatialChat is an immersive group or one-on-one video chat where you can host virtual meetings in spaces that you create. Users can move freely around the screen and have video conversations as they approach others or among small groups. A “metaverse”-type experience that overlays video conferencing on a virtual environment/space.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • SpatialChat could be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an alternative video conferencing and meeting approach.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    SpatialChat has a free version that allows you to meet with up to 25 people in one space. They have paid plans based on per use or monthly fees.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    SpatialChat indicates it is best used on a laptop or computer.

    Mobile friendly

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    SpatialChat indicates that it doesn’t “collect any data that is unnecessary to provide you with the best possible user experience.” They are also currently working to meet a high security/privacy industry standard. Find out more in their Security & Privacy section.

    Multilingual capabilities

    The interface is in English and SpatialChat does not appear to have multilingual capabilities.

    Additional resources

  • Facetime

    Description

    You can use Facetime to make one-on-one and group video and audio calls on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Facetime can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an alternative video conferencing and video meeting approach.

    Video overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s1vNywzw-Q

    Pricing

    Facetime is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Facetime is very easy to use. Apple has information about hearing accessibility features in iOS here. Android and Windows users can also join Facetime calls.

    Mobile friendly

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    According to Apple, “The audio/video contents of FaceTime calls are protected by end-to-end encryption, so no one but the sender and receiver can access them.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    Not applicable.

    Additional resources

  • Facebook

    Description

    Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It includes personal accounts, organizational accounts (pages), groups and more. You can post multimedia (audio, video, gifs, etc.) as well as stream live video on Facebook (through Facebook or external streaming services such as Zoom).

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Many organizations have Facebook pages where they share information and interact with Newcomers, providing information and orientation services.
    • Organizations also have Facebook groups, which can be made open, closed, or private in order to provide additional services to Newcomers.
    • Settlement Practitioners create work-specific Facebook accounts to provide services, join work-related groups, and interact with Newcomers.
    • Facebook can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to help inform and engage with Newcomers on one of the largest social networks.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Facebook is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use.

    According to Facebook, they have “features and technologies that help people with disabilities, such as vision loss and deafness, get the most out of Facebook.”

    Mobile friendly

    Facebook is mobile optimized and available through their Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Common Sense Media has a useful Privacy Evaluation for Facebook. Additional information can be found on Facebook’s Privacy, Safety, and Security help articles.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Facebook can be used with different languages.

    Additional resources

  • Signal

    Description

    Signal is a digital messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption for privacy and security. This means that no one, including Signal, can read your messages or listen to your calls. Features include text messaging, making audio and video calls, send audio/video messages, and create group chats

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Signal can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Signal is free. However, you need a Wi-Fi or data connection in order to use it.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). Signal doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    Signal is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    According to Signal, “Signal conversations are always end-to-end encrypted, which means that they can only be read or heard by your intended recipients.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language on Signal.

    Additional resources

  • Facebook Messenger

    Description

    Facebook Messenger is Facebook’s digital messaging tool. It has text, voice, video calling and group video chat features.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Facebook Messenger can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer using Facebook as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Facebook Messenger is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Messenger is easy to use. Accessibility information about Messenger can be found in the general Facebook help information about accessibility.

    Mobile friendly

    Messenger is primarily used on the Android and iOS app, but can be used through the web browser as well.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Facebook Messenger conversations between staff and clients must be in “secret” mode to ensure end-to-end encryption. To learn how to set up secret conversations, visit this link.

    End-to-end encryption for Facebook messenger is only currently available through the Messenger app for iOS/Android and not through website/desktop access. If you are seeking to have secure contact with Newcomers, you should only communicate with clients via Facebook Messenger using the app on smartphones. Communication with clients using Facebook for desktop (user-to-user messages or other methods of communication through the platform) or Messenger.com for desktop is not secure. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that clients are aware that they are not communicating through a secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language in Facebook/Messenger.

    Additional resources

  • Viber

    Description

    Viber is a secure digital messaging app you can use to send messages (text, photos, videos, & voice), make audio and video calls, have group chats and calls, and join public groups.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Viber can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging through Viber as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Viber is free. However, you need a Wi-Fi or data connection in order to use it.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Viber is easy to use. Viber does not appear to have accessibility information on their site.

    Mobile friendly

    Viber is primarily a smartphone app you can use on Android and iOS devices.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Only 1-on-1 and group chats are fully secured by end-to-end encryption.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language on Viber.

    Additional resources

  • Telegram

    Description

    Telegram is a digital messaging app that you can use for 1-on-1 and group text chats, as well as 1-on-1 audio and video chat. You can also create broadcast messages, known as channels on Telegram. Groups have up to 200,000 people and can include group voice chats.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Telegram is used by many newcomers. Some service providers have begun to use Telegram to communicate with Newcomers, as well as created groups for larger conversations/chats.
    • Telegram can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2rH3KrfcM

    Pricing

    Telegram is free

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). Telegram doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    Telegram is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Telegram has some privacy/security features, but it is important to be aware of what is and is not fully secure on the app. Secret Chats are end to end encrypted. Group chats (text or voice) are not. Telegram writes that they “support end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    According to Telegram the app “is officially available in English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, Malay, Russian and Ukrainian on most platforms, and we are gradually expanding the list of languages built into the apps.”

    Additional resources

  • WeChat

    Description

    WeChat is a multi-purpose instant messaging, social media and mobile payment app used primarily (but not exclusively) by Chinese Newcomers. You can use text, photo, voice, video, location sharing, create group chats with up to 500 members and group video calls with up to 9 people.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WeChat is used by Settlement Practitioners and organizations serving Newcomers from China.
    • WeChat can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WeChat is free to use.

    Service Context and activities with descriptions about how it could be used in each context – from simple uses to more complex

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    WeChat doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WeChat is primarily used through mobile apps, but is also available for Windows, Mac, and web access.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WeChat is not considered a secure platform to use to share personally identifiable information with clients. However, like Facebook, it can be used as part of the service continuum.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language in WeChat. However, WeChat indicates that “Hebrew, Hindi and Polish are no longer supported.”

    Additional resources

  • WhatsApp Business

    Description

    WhatsApp Business has the core functionality of WhatsApp, but with additional features such as quick replies that let you save and reuse messages you frequently send (i.e. form messages), and automated messages that can also be tied to office hours you set in the app, which allow for out of office auto-replies, vacation auto-replies, etc. Just like WhatsApp, you can share text/voice/video messages, photos, videos, make voice calls, share attachments, such as documents, status updates, create groups (up to 256 members) and broadcast lists.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used digital messaging apps in the sector. Some frontline workers have shifted to WhatsApp Business because it offers the same functions and features, security features (encryption), with the additional useful features outline above.
    • WhatsApp Business can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WhatsApp Business is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). WhatsApp has information about accessibility settings on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WhatsApp Business is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WhatsApp Business is end-to-end encrypted, which means “your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.”

    When you use WhatsApp Business the people you message with can see your phone number. This means that it is not a private app.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • WhatsApp

    Description

    WhatsApp lets you share text/voice/video messages, photos, videos, make voice calls, share attachments, such as documents, status updates, create groups (up to 256 members), and broadcast lists.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used digital messaging apps in the sector.
    • WhatsApp can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WhatsApp is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use. WhatsApp has information about accessibility settings on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WhatsApp is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, which means “your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.”

    When you use WhatsApp the people you message with can see your phone number. This means that it is not a private app.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources