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Well, Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and now Whatsapp. I really can't stand using an app that has ads. I really really could use them if they weren't so intrusive or annoying, Whatsapp it's the only META app that I'm still using due my close relations do use it.

Which App do you use to chat with your closest people? You simple don't? Or you use another medium to get in touch? I always can make a call to my relatives, but there are people, like my gf, which I need to communicate in more than one way, send audios, photos, videos, etc. Every reply it's appreciate it.

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[-] Stillwater@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 weeks ago

Signal for those who have it and SMS for everyone else

[-] LadyMeow@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 3 weeks ago

Another vote for signal

[-] rirus@feddit.org -2 points 3 weeks ago

Would rather use WhatsApp then SMS. Its much more secure and private and doesn't cost money. Although if RCS is an option it could be used instead of SMS or WhatsApp.

[-] Stillwater@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 weeks ago

How private can WhatsApp be if Meta owns it?

[-] capuccino@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago

SMS are not encrypted, messages in whatsapp are, in some way

[-] Stillwater@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago
[-] rirus@feddit.org 0 points 3 weeks ago

See my post above: WhatsApp backups are unencrypted by default to Google/Apple servers. But at least you have options to make it more secure.

[-] Stillwater@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 weeks ago

So all in all, would you say my messages are more likely to be captured by Meta when using WhatsApp, or SMS? I ask in good faith. I am aware SMS isn't secure, but at least it isn't literally hosted by Meta... So if Meta was my main concern for my threat model would you still recommend WhatsApp?

[-] rirus@feddit.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

No, but don't use SMS either. Meta Apps have the permission to access SMS.

[-] Stillwater@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Well I don't use any Meta apps.
But I have to use SMS for certain people

[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 1 points 3 weeks ago

if RCS is an option it could be used

Generally when people say "I use SMS" they mean "SMS, MMS, and RCS".

[-] rirus@feddit.org 0 points 3 weeks ago

There is a big difference tho.

[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 1 points 3 weeks ago

Sure, but colloquially that's how I is used. People have apps that send "SMS" and they call anything it sends "SMS". People don't make conscious decisions on which to use of the three, it's automatic.

[-] Substance_P@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Signal, mostly because I value my privacy though.

[-] eclipse7@feddit.nu 2 points 3 weeks ago

I'm self hosting a Matrix-server (Synapse + Element) plus a few bridges to Signal, Whatsapp etc. Works great!

[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 2 points 3 weeks ago

Signal. It's in the perfect middle ground of security and usability. Security enthusiasts will tell you it isn't good enough. It's fine, and it's certainly better than Facebook Messenger.

[-] cisc@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 weeks ago

I feel like Delta Chat should be mentioned here as a secure, decentralized and pretty awesome alternative.

It also allows to communicate with non-delta chat users via email through the same chat interface

[-] rirus@feddit.org 0 points 3 weeks ago

It also allows to communicate with non-delta chat users via email through the same chat interface

That's a disadvantage. Messengers should only allow secure encrypted chats!

[-] cisc@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Kind of a fair point though I think users should be able to make that choice for themselves. If they do not want that, they can just not use it - the app clearly shows whether chats are encrypted or not and I'm pretty sure you could also disable the plain-email feature.

[-] cymor@midwest.social 1 points 3 weeks ago

Snikket.org Open Source, real End-to-end encryption (OMEMO), and you can use other clients if you don't like theirs. You can also self-host.

[-] anachrohack@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

When I quit meta, I wanted people to use signal, but my dad refused to move to another app. We just talk via sms now. My wife and her family overseas are on Line, which is kind of like a Japanese whatsapp (maybe closer to WeChat). It has e2e encryption but it could be the same story with WhatsApp where you don't really know if they're reading your messages or not

[-] razorcandy@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 3 weeks ago

I use Signal, and I’ve read that Session and Teleguard are also good alternatives.

[-] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

Telegram is not a good alternative at all unless you are looking for socia media experience. I am they will get ads to eventually. It Russian corporate slop, same as American but with a different daddy in charge

this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
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