Mastodawn

Today, I finally deleted WhatsApp

https://sh.itjust.works/post/57280235

Today, I finally deleted WhatsApp - sh.itjust.works

It has been a long journey. I have been gradually convincing my family, close relatives and friends to make the switch to Signal for over two years. I am already the “tech support guy” in all my circles so most didn’t really question it. Most of my friends are quite tech-savvy, and some even did use Signal before I talked to them about it. This also filtered out some “friends” who were never that close to me to begin with. So, that’s a bonus, I guess. Overall, my recommendation to others interested would be to tell people how much you don’t like Meta’s business model instead of the privacy aspect. I already ditched Facebook and Instagram many years ago, and this helped defend my point a bit better.

Show thread

technomage 3d ago

I don’t think I’ve ever actually used WhatsApp. An old boss tried to tell me that it was mandatory for my job (there was a group chat where management insisted on tracking every single thing we did). Fortunately, Ontario has somewhat decent labour laws where if you’re required to use an app or something on your phone, your employer now gets to pay for your phone bill! Needless to say, she backed off pretty quick lol

Also, the concept of NEEDING WhatsApp for daily life is wild to me. It’s not the norm for businesses, banks, etc to require it, and if someone says they do, it’s probably a scam here…

Show thread

Zak 3d ago

WhatsApp has significant market dominance in Europe, to the point that only one or two people I know who live on that continent don’t use it. If you give someone your phone number in Europe, they will almost certainly send you a WhatsApp message, not an SMS.

It’s not a need in the sense that you’ll die without it, but not having it adds significant friction to social relationships.

Show thread

zqps 3d ago

At least Europe rarely uses WhatsApp for business porposes. It’s worse in Asia and South America where WhatsApp and Facebook are literally the internet, including the enterprise space.

And the reason it’s less the default in the US isn’t because people are so forward-thinking to use signal, but iOS being so uniquitous that people use iMessage.

People everywhere are just somewhat lazy and just don’t know better.

Show thread

Zak

And the reason it’s less the default in the US isn’t because people are so forward-thinking to use signal, but iOS being so uniquitous that people use iMessage.

I don’t think that’s quite it. iOS wasn’t as popular in the USA when WhatsApp use really started to take off elsewhere.

Instead, I think it was a combination of unlimited SMS plans being the norm, and most Americans having few international contacts.