610 sats \ 7 replies \ @Zepasta OP 21 Nov 2023 \ parent \ on: deleted by author tech
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You 100% do not need to use WhatsApp. The only way you will ever leave WhatsApp is by doing so uncomfortably. I decided to not only delete the app, but totally nuke my account in settings before deleting it across every device.
People will SMS you, people will come to [insert fav privacy messenger] with you. I know multiple, unrelated people who have had this experience.
Privacy is limiting third parties access your personal life, if you're limits aren't "too tight" then they're "too loose"
I'm currently mustering up to tackle a bunch of other loose ends like these. You'll thank yourself for doing it.
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Sadly, WhatsApp has become the default messenger used by everyone in my country. Every friend, family member, and even older people who aren't very tech-savvy are on WhatsApp. The adoption here is very close to 100%. Some companies here have even started using WhatsApp Business for customer service instead of traditional methods like email or phone calls.
Same here
I can't ask all my normie friends, family members, or girls from dates, to install Signal, just so we can chat. It doesn't sit well with me as it feels like I'm imposing something they may not be interested in.
I feel you. It feels like "imposing" because that's what it probably is. But isn't it the same the other way around? Aren't people imposing WhatsApp on you, just because they don't care about privacy or you?
As a human, I naturally need to socialize with people close to me, specially loved ones and friends. So ditching the only messaging app i have, is out of question for me.
I know, this might sound like I have no heart but if people can't even use another app or have a healthy discussion about the importance of secure communications and privacy, maybe you should reevaluate your relationship with these people.
Also, if you just met somebody, this is the best situation to just say "I don't have WhatsApp.". You don't need to explain yourself if they don't ask why. In my experience, no one ever asked why, we just found a common messenger.
Imo, it's not about "imposing something on other people". It's about discussing topics that are important to you with friends who should care about what is important to you. If there would be good arguments to continue using WhatsApp, I would listen. But so far, I haven't heard one. I haven't heard any argument. Most people just don't care at all.
And I have decided this topic is so important to me that I would risk losing relationships over it. If I can lose a relationship over such a topic, maybe it wasn't worth it anyway.
Signal is not the solution either. I would be switching from a unsecure messaging app to a slightly better yet still unsecure app (in my opinion). See this post: #322064
What is the solution then? It's easier to convince people when there are so many people recommending it. The phone number is something I also don't like and that you can't configure hiding your profile picture per contact, but it's definitely a lot better than using a messenger from the company who invented privacy invasion as a business model.
That Signal is run by a non-profit foundation with the goal of protecting privacy and literally invented the industry standard (Signal Protocol) used by many other messenger is also something which is easy to explain.
So I'd be very interested which messenger you would recommend trying to switch normies to.
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I don't recall, were you in Arg? I totally agree re: whatsapp, it can be very hard to ditch it here. Just ask someone to send you an sms or use simplex, lmao
It depends on your life context. Maybe you can pull it off. If you're young, regularly meeting new people, NOT having it can be a net negative.
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I don't recall, were you in Arg?
Nah.
If you're young, regularly meeting new people, NOT having it can be a net negative.
Exactly this.
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NOT having it can be a net negative.
Maybe in the short term :) in the long run, you're filtering out unnecessary people.
Did you try to say you don't have WhatsApp when you meet someone? Doesn't that make you interesting in front of them? I never had the experience that someone insisted on using WhatsApp when we met. Only when we used WhatsApp for a long time already.
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These people will embrace CBDC without hesitation.
The question is: will you, too? If they insist on only using CBDC? If you ever share costs or something? What's the difference to only using WhatsApp with them?
In my opinion, there isn't a perfect solution. I have to adapt by being cautious and not overshare too much while chatting over WhatsApp, and avoiding sensitive topics.
There is never a perfect solution for anything. Sounds like you accepted to use WhatsApp indefinitely and censor yourself. That's the worst solution imo.
The fact that it is tied to a phone number is a deal breaker to me. 😞
Fair point, hopefully they'll change that soon. I heard they are working on it.
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