Poll: Switching from WhatsApp • Hacker News Board

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#101

Post by approxim8ion » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:07 PM UTC

approxim8ion wrote: post #84

damidekronik wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Downgrade in terms of privacy from WhatsApp? Some explanation is needed for such a bold statement.

I'm referring to two things(although really just one) here - WhatsApp claims to store messages only as long as they are undelivered, after which they are purged from their servers. Even if they are retained, they are e2e encrypted. Telegram on the other hand, from what I can see, store all messages in plaintext or in an encrypted-at-rest form where they control and have access to the keys. It comes down to whether I…

Also adding to this, there is certainly more nuance to it and WhatsApp is certainly far from perfect in that you still trust them to implement E2EE correctly without incompetence or malice, and then there's the whole other issue of their cloud backups being entirely unencrypted by design. Thankfully the latter can be turned off for now.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#102

Post by PascalPrecht » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:07 PM UTC

PascalPrecht wrote: post #94

Adding Status.im for completeness https://status.im/

Checks all the privacy boxes

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#103

Post by WillYouFinish » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:09 PM UTC

I've been a Threema user for over 7 years now and I have my most important contacts there.

Telegram is no E2E-Messenger. I know you can enable it per chat, but that's so solution. And groups are always not encrypted. Also they use some non-standard encryption. Why?

Signal needs my phone number. I dislike that idea.

I use Discord for anything unimportant. I prefer to not use it though. For voice I still prefer TeamSpeak, because of the end to end encryption and self hosting.

I don't know or don't use the others.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#104

Post by m_st » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:09 PM UTC

m_st wrote: post #100

Apple opening up iMessage, running it cross platform and maybe through some independent company would put an end on this discussion. There won't be money in it for them. But it would even further improve their privacy-first market(ing) position. And they would have the leverage to really achieve it.

In the meantime I have like 6 messaging clients, 5 car park apps and 7 covid-restaurant-tracking apps on my phone.

Remembering which contact is in which app is a pain. Now explain that to your non-tech friends.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#105

Post by addicted » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:09 PM UTC

m_st wrote: post #79

defanor wrote: post #75

I've never used WhatsApp (and only briefly tried some of the other listed messengers), but switching from one centralised and commercial system, once it runs into issues as many similar systems did before it, to another very similar system, doesn't seem quite wise. Personally I'm using XMPP and IRC for instant messaging, and tend to recommend the former: it's a nice and federated protocol, with users and software, an…

Full ack. But then try connecting with your non-tech friends using XMPP or IRC. Won't do.

Wasnt Google Talk XMPP?

It was highly successful and used by ordinary folks all over.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#106

Post by read_if_gay_ » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:10 PM UTC

CubsFan1060 wrote: post #99

One of the killer features to me is being able to use a client on many varied systems (phone, tablet, computer), which my chat history shared between them. This allows me to very easily get messages anywhere, and pick up the conversation anywhere. Which of these support that?

I think that's a common feature, but the Telegram desktop client is particularly good.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#107

Post by lawlorino » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:10 PM UTC

Why is there no option for staying with WhatsApp? My reality is that none of my friends and family will care enough to switch, so whether I like it or not I'm stuck.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#108

Post by Hamuko » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:11 PM UTC

I'm already using Signal as a secondary messaging service (since someone I know didn't use WhatsApp) so I'll just switch to that.

Luckily I don't have any friends on WhatsApp, so the transition will be easier. Let's see if my family cares enough about messaging me that they'll download Signal.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#109

Post by 2Gkashmiri » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:11 PM UTC

just finally installed matrix on my phone, been using it on desktop on and off for years. never used whatsapp in the first place but the way i see it, where i live e2e f whatsapp is worthless, harmful even because you cannot express dissent as our kyc compliant phone is linked. same for telegram and signal. i might end up setting up my own matrix server but will see about that.

Re: Poll: Switching from WhatsApp

#110

Post by input_sh » Thu, Jan 07, 2021, 1:11 PM UTC

CubsFan1060 wrote: post #99

One of the killer features to me is being able to use a client on many varied systems (phone, tablet, computer), which my chat history shared between them. This allows me to very easily get messages anywhere, and pick up the conversation anywhere. Which of these support that?

Signal will sync your message history from the point you link multiple devices (not those sent/received prior to that), but no tablet support (unless you're talking about iPad).