Noticed an AI assistant is now in your WhatsApp? Meta’s AI feature is now being rolled out in the EU and you can’t turn it off – but you can stop the AI invasion by opting for privacy-focused alternatives.
Your parents can use something else to message you, for other people they can switch to SMS in worse case, just uninstall the app with a goodbye message once you are not there there will be some real reasons for other people to join you elsewhere,
There was a time where there was no WhatsApp and no one died because of it, true there might be some extra inconveniences but the question is if you have the will to do the change, I deleted WhatsApp and things are OK so far I am not using Signal either, I use Delta Chat and email mainly
“I will delete my WhatsApp on -date- because I can no longer justify using a product made by a company, Meta, that is in such stark contrast with my ethics.
You can reach me via Signal, a messenger that works just like WhatsApp. It is very easy to set up, but I will gladly help you do so.”
What are they going to do? Not talk to you anymore because of a little piece of software that is so easily replaced? If so, is it even worth talking to them?
I used my Parents as an example, but its not just them. Some friends, Kolleges or other important folks are on there, and no not everyone will move just because of me. What I was hoping for was something like a Matrix Bridge for Discord. Something that allows you to acces and chat with whatsapp folks via a Different Messanger.
It’s not about them moving. They don’t need to stop using Whatsapp. They can just add one more app. I communicate with different people on different platforms. It’s quite usual nowadays.
If you live in the EU, you will soon be able to message via a third party app to Whatsapp users thanks to the Digital Markets Act from last year. Meta said they’re planning to release this feature this year. However through this feature Meta will still be able to retain data about your messaging. And since Zuckerberg has now openly aligned himself with Trump, there’s a fair chance that data will be used against you at some point in the future.
I recommend you sever any ties to Meta and switch to a privacy focused messenger app like Signal. It has the same interface, but far stronger encryption and it’s open source.
What you were hoping for was no change in your life. You gave a scenario and a solution was provided to you. You’re taking no responsibility, and want no change in convenience. How can you expect the ignorant to move off of WhatsApp if even the informed won’t do it?
I did the method suggested above and the vast majority of my contacts eventually moved to Signal, those that didn’t switched to old fashioned SMS to contact me. You are not missing out by not being a part of one specific messaging app, there are many out there.
Very Nice thats Exactly what I was looking for! Gonna take a look at Signal and set it up together with that. Gonna also shoot a message to all my Contacts there to announce my sorta Moving. Should make people aware of alternatives while also not giving folks an Ultimatum. Thanks!
I honestly haven’t thought much about switching from whatsapp. Here in germany its very ingraned into everyones life’s. This whole Meta AI thing gave me the realization that I really need to switch. Its just one of those things I didn’t give much thought about before. Suppose better late then never.
Try to get them to switch to Signal if you can. I helped my 70+ year old mother switch with no problems because the UI is similar to WhatsApp and Telegram so it didn’t take her long to get used to it.
Since my Parents are only on that for chatting, I can’t switch. What options are there for me
Your parents can use something else to message you, for other people they can switch to SMS in worse case, just uninstall the app with a goodbye message once you are not there there will be some real reasons for other people to join you elsewhere,
There was a time where there was no WhatsApp and no one died because of it, true there might be some extra inconveniences but the question is if you have the will to do the change, I deleted WhatsApp and things are OK so far I am not using Signal either, I use Delta Chat and email mainly
“I will delete my WhatsApp on -date- because I can no longer justify using a product made by a company, Meta, that is in such stark contrast with my ethics.
You can reach me via Signal, a messenger that works just like WhatsApp. It is very easy to set up, but I will gladly help you do so.”
What are they going to do? Not talk to you anymore because of a little piece of software that is so easily replaced? If so, is it even worth talking to them?
I’m not even going to say what I’m thinking of this.
I used my Parents as an example, but its not just them. Some friends, Kolleges or other important folks are on there, and no not everyone will move just because of me. What I was hoping for was something like a Matrix Bridge for Discord. Something that allows you to acces and chat with whatsapp folks via a Different Messanger.
It’s not about them moving. They don’t need to stop using Whatsapp. They can just add one more app. I communicate with different people on different platforms. It’s quite usual nowadays.
If you live in the EU, you will soon be able to message via a third party app to Whatsapp users thanks to the Digital Markets Act from last year. Meta said they’re planning to release this feature this year. However through this feature Meta will still be able to retain data about your messaging. And since Zuckerberg has now openly aligned himself with Trump, there’s a fair chance that data will be used against you at some point in the future.
I recommend you sever any ties to Meta and switch to a privacy focused messenger app like Signal. It has the same interface, but far stronger encryption and it’s open source.
What you were hoping for was no change in your life. You gave a scenario and a solution was provided to you. You’re taking no responsibility, and want no change in convenience. How can you expect the ignorant to move off of WhatsApp if even the informed won’t do it?
I did the method suggested above and the vast majority of my contacts eventually moved to Signal, those that didn’t switched to old fashioned SMS to contact me. You are not missing out by not being a part of one specific messaging app, there are many out there.
That would be Beeper but you have to be aware that you’re still using WhatsApp with all metadata collection involved
Very Nice thats Exactly what I was looking for! Gonna take a look at Signal and set it up together with that. Gonna also shoot a message to all my Contacts there to announce my sorta Moving. Should make people aware of alternatives while also not giving folks an Ultimatum. Thanks!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to see that you’re taking some steps now.
But… you hadn’t even installed Signal yourself? So you didn’t even know how many of your contacts are already on there? Wtf dude?
I honestly haven’t thought much about switching from whatsapp. Here in germany its very ingraned into everyones life’s. This whole Meta AI thing gave me the realization that I really need to switch. Its just one of those things I didn’t give much thought about before. Suppose better late then never.
Try to get them to switch to Signal if you can. I helped my 70+ year old mother switch with no problems because the UI is similar to WhatsApp and Telegram so it didn’t take her long to get used to it.