this post was submitted on 07 Mar 2024
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To comply with DMA, WhatsApp and Messenger will become interoperable via Signal protocol (techcrunch.com)
submitted 8 months ago by Mysteriarch to c/technology@beehaw.org
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[–] flora_explora@beehaw.org 33 points 8 months ago (5 children)

Why not convince people to use Signal as well? Even my family has a group chat on Signal. Of course, it's a slow move with most people sticking to non-open chats. But it's worth the effort I would say.

[–] variants@possumpat.io 16 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah after two years even my parents and brother are on signal plus most of my close friends, the rest I just use regular sms

[–] InfiniWheel@lemmy.one 16 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Most of the world doesn't use SMS, they use WhatsApp. Plus, SMS is even worse than WhatsApp for privacy and security. And stopping using WhatsApp in most of the world is like not using email, so no "I don't have WhatsApp, you can only contact me through signal" is possible.

[–] flora_explora@beehaw.org 5 points 8 months ago

That's always the problem with monopolies and big corporations. They make it harder for you as an individual to use alternatives.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It's certainly possible. It annoys some people, but that's life.

[–] InfiniWheel@lemmy.one 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I don't just mean socially speaking. But for contacting services and stuff. My car insurance company only accepts reports through Whatsapp or through calling a guy to come look at your face for a fee.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

So there is an alternative. There has to be.

[–] Akuchimoya@startrek.website 1 points 8 months ago

In some different countries, WhatsApp is how people conduct business. I am anti WhatsApp in my regular life, but I used it with a VOIP number when I was traveling abroad.

It's one thing to tell your friends and family you use Signal, you can't tell literally every business. Well, you can, they just won't to do business with you.

[–] evident5051@lemm.ee 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

The inability to use it on two different phones kills it for me.

[–] HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You can. Up to 7.

[–] evident5051@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Is there a guide to this? I still can't use a different phone as a linked device, only on desktop or iPads.

[–] HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] evident5051@lemm.ee 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I don't think that's Signal haha

[–] HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee 4 points 8 months ago

Aw man, I missunterstood everything :(

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I really don't expect anyone would listen to me.

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 7 points 8 months ago

How could they, they aren't on signal

[–] HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It might work with people you know but is harder to convince people you just met, that's the reason I still use Whatsapp and recently opened an Instagram.

[–] Marvin42@feddit.nl 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, but you can still chat with them on the insecure messenger. You can have both on your phone.

What would be the win if signal would support sending messages to WhatsApp? You'd still be putting your trust into meta.

[–] HappyRedditRefugee@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

I do have both.

I didnt say anything about the interoperability. I can imagine some wins... but nothing game changing tbh.

[–] Lifebandit666@feddit.uk 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I remember the days when I spent time convincing people to use chat apps. The last one that stuck was WhatsApp.

I've since stopped installing new chat apps because people won't use them.

WhatsApp just works. Wanna video call my Mum? Push a button. Wanna send a Lemmy meme to my mates? Yeah it's 3 taps.

I open up Facebook on me birthday and press the ❤️ on the birthday messages then shut it down and don't use it for another year.

But if I do that with WhatsApp then I don't hear from people I actually care about.

I actually have a friend that refuses to use WhatsApp like I do with FaceFuck. "How does she do it then?" I hear you ask.

She uses Facebook Messenger.

That's the hold Meta has on our communications

[–] flora_explora@beehaw.org 2 points 8 months ago

Meanwhile I can do all that what you describe on Signal just as easily as that. A friend of mine often sends me Instagram reels on signal because I don't have any insta account. And I actually don't know anyone who has or at least uses a fb account anymore xD