Mastodawn

I have a question.

Edit: Apparently I was misinformed. You can't call landlines from WhatsApp. So that piece of invasive junk is not going back on my phone.

Original post:
I just found out that you can use WhatsApp to make international phone calls to telephone lines. What's the downside of that? Assuming there must be one. I left WhatsApp years ago, but I'm now wondering if this is not a reason to install it, if only for this purpose.

https://www.androidauthority.com/free-international-call-whatsapp-3077436/

#whatsapp #EllieKPosts #question #internationalPhoneCalls

How to make a free international call using WhatsApp

The days of running up huge phone bills calling overseas is long over. These days, you can make a free international call using WhatsApp.

Android Authority

Her Doing Mar 26

Hi Ellie - you can do this with Signal. Please check it out before reinstalling WhatsApp.

(I don't know if you can call just *anyone* (I haven't tried) - but a friend & I are on opposite sides of the pond, we both have Signal & we can definitely call each other.)

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Mar 26

@Her_Doing
@elliek

Signal is the best alternative, for sure.

Ellie Kennard Mar 26

@SnowyCA @Her_Doing
But won't work for numbers not using Signal, unfortunately..

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Mar 26

@elliek
Ask your friend to install it? @Her_Doing

Ellie Kennard Mar 26

@SnowyCA @Her_Doing
It's numbers like the doctor and bank who won't and even my elderly 95 year old father-in-law who can't really handle technology.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Mar 26

Oh that's a problem for sure.

Wait, if they can't handle tech, why the WhatsApp option? It's tech.

Ellie Kennard Mar 26

@SnowyCA @Her_Doing
Because they said it would call actual phones. As in landline.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Mar 26

@elliek
Oh I understand now, thanks for elaborating.
I'm sorry, I'm out of ideas, maybe someone else with more tech experience can help?

Ellie Kennard Mar 26

@SnowyCA @Her_Doing
@deirdrebeth
@trendless

Have you heard of CiCi then, instead?
https://www.ciciphonecard.com/

Haven't heard about it before.

CiCi Phone Card

Buy CiCi Phone Card online and get your PIN instantly by email. Check CiCi Phone Card rates, access numbers and reviews.

DB Schwein Mar 27

@elliek @SnowyCA @Her_Doing @trendless

Never heard of it. It seems to be a Canadian company which is likely better.

Ellie Kennard Mar 27

@deirdrebeth I'll check it out.
I'm not desperate at the moment, but need to have an option when the time comes.

Ellie Kennard Mar 26

@Her_Doing
Thanks! But...
This would be for such calls as to a bank, doctor, lawyer etc. No signal accounts there. I use Signal to call Signal buddies all the time. It's just phones that I need.

Her Doing Mar 26

Ah, gotcha! I don’t know about that. (And I thought WhatsApp calls were only possible between members as well; maybe that’s changed.)

I don’t use any FB products at all, but I recognise that is a choice I am generally privileged to make.

Good luck!

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Mar 26

@elliek
Meta owns it....it has security issues.

DB Schwein Mar 26

Pretty sure the downside is it being owned by Facebook and using all your data for their nefarious ends.
Also when somebody hacks FB and takes down their servers it also stops working (which happened a few years back).

Lstn2urmama4 Mar 27

@elliek a friend and I used to talk thru what's Canada to Dubai when he had some time between jobs but on tablet to his phone which is internet also I believe and I left what's app many years ago ...

Ellie Kennard Mar 27

@Lstn2urmama4 we talk that way on Signal now, but that's no use to call a landline.

Lstn2urmama4 Mar 27

@elliek good to hear for you...