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WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

arstechnica.com

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Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#481

Post by chalst »

WA wrote: post #469

I mean, it’s annoying, but I’m at the point where I wonder if it does matter at all. I don’t let WhatsApp access my contacts or photos. I tried very hard for a long time to not give Facebook my phone number. But if any of my contacts agrees to this, my phone number is given to Facebook (without my consent). So, what are my options really? Delete my account? And then what? My number will be given to them anyways.

I don't have a big problem with Facebook having my number, or knowing who 95% of the people are who have me in their contacts. But it is important to me that the contents of my contacts database is private so that I can be trusted by the other 5%.

Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#483

Post by marton78 »

asadhaider wrote: post #246
wheresmycraisin wrote: post #192

Anyone know of a way to backup everything from whatsapp, including video and voice messages? I have 5 years of messages between me and my wife on whatsapp i'd like to preserve some how before moving off.

Seems to be possible unless you live in Germany, just follow this guide [0]. If in a EU country, I wonder if you could also submit a data subject access request (I'm not too familiar on GDPR). [0] https://faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/how-to-save-your-chat...

Why wouldn't it be possible if you live in Germany?

Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#484

Post by abandonliberty »

eecc wrote: post #472

Many comments are about how people would love to jump ship and switch to whatever other service. Well, there’s an IM service already deployed to all mobile systems and it’s called SMS. All that’s needed is some sanity in the pricing, some modernization of support for multimedia and cross-device sharing/archiving. This whole industry exists for 1 sole reason: telco ineptitude

There really isn't (in SMS)

> Message delivery is "best effort", so there are no guarantees that a message will actually be delivered to its recipient, but delay or complete loss of a message is uncommon, typically affecting less than 5 percent of messages

Maybe 5g will fix something, I'm not current on the spec.

Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#487

Post by Ayesh »

graposaymaname wrote: post #476
eecc wrote: post #472

Many comments are about how people would love to jump ship and switch to whatever other service. Well, there’s an IM service already deployed to all mobile systems and it’s called SMS. All that’s needed is some sanity in the pricing, some modernization of support for multimedia and cross-device sharing/archiving. This whole industry exists for 1 sole reason: telco ineptitude

Well, is it encrypted?

Answering the likely rhetorical question: No.

Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#488

Post by lodovic »

MattPalmer1086 wrote: post #223
frereubu wrote: post #22

I'd love to give up WhatsApp, but network effects are key here. I tried moving my extended family off WhatsApp onto Signal a couple of years ago and it failed miserably because the app wasn't nearly as easy to use, and they had all their friends on Whatsapp. Has anyone here had any success moving a large group of people onto something like Signal or Telegram? If so, do you have any tips?

I've used Signal for years, and for most of that time only had about three people who also used it in my contacts. My wife recently got her entire extended family to use Signal. She has always refused to use WhatsApp. They all love Signal now, and use it all the time. However, this was during a family crisis. During the Covid lockdowns, many companies I know used Signal as their preferred non corporate communication…

In Europe the WhatsApp alternatives are generally framed as tools for pedophiles and organized crime. Even installing them on your phone may alert LEO that you're suspect. This move by Facebook is highly troubling.

edit: mass downvote! here are the links.

this link talks specifically about signal protocol being used by organized crime https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/waarom-criminel...

https://www.securityweek.com/telegram-rivaling-tor-home-crim...

https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2019/05/03/criminals-are-hi...

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/ne...

Re: WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using app

#489

Post by wuschel »

submeta wrote: post #467

I am in the EU, and this is what I have been presented with: „ By tapping Agree, you accept the new terms, which take effect on February 8, 2021. After this date, you’ll need to accept the new terms to continue using WhatsApp. You can also visit the Help Center if you would prefer to delete your account and would like more information. To learn more about how WhatsApp processes your data, read our updated privacy pol…

It was always a clear business transaction: acess to a messenging service for access to meta data (and now message data).

I wonder how Out of curiosity:

Does anyone know how the new Whatsapp TOS differ from the Gmail TOS in regard to user data and privacy. How does the Facebook group use data differently than, say Facebook or Microsoft?

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