103 sats \ 5 replies \ @ek 21 Nov 2023 freebie \ parent \ on: deleted by author tech
Same here
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?
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.
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.
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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