What Dust is
Dust (formerly Cyber Dust) is a privacy-focused messenger built around messages that erase automatically and alerts when someone screenshots. It leans hard into the "nothing is stored" promise, which suits people who want more caution than a mainstream app offers, at the cost of a much smaller user base.
What Dust does well
- Messages auto-erase and are not stored on the device long-term
- Screenshot detection alerts
- Marketed squarely at private, sensitive conversations
Where it falls short
- Small user base, both people have to install it
- No screenshot system is foolproof, a second phone defeats any of them
- Less battle-tested than Signal on the encryption front
Verdict: A reasonable extra-caution option if both people install it, the auto-erase and screenshot alerts add friction for a leaker. For most people Signal or Snapchat cover the same ground with far more reach.
Dust: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dust?
A privacy messenger with auto-erasing messages and screenshot alerts, aimed at sensitive chats.
Does Dust stop screenshots?
It alerts you to them, but no app can truly prevent a determined screenshot.