One of my best friends, a normie, is pestering me about using WhatsApp again, simply because I am not convenient for her to communicate with.
1. At this time, I legit can't. My number was flagged for suspicious activity (using a VPN Meta doesn't like) and so I can't use any Meta apps. (This actually pleases me greatly.)
2. Clicking over to another app and messaging me is too much work? How lazy have you gotten? After this trip (to celebrate a big number birthday for her)
I am really going to have to question my association with all of that group. It's painful to do so, but... If I'm not worth the amount of bother it is to call/text, then I'm not worth bothering with at all.
I'm not going to be grumpy about this, but that conversation has put me in a bit of a maudlin mood.
Login to reply
Replies (47)
Why can’t they just text you like a normal person?
I’m not sure why everyone thinks they need some 3rd party app to text with?
Why do you have a phone in the first place if you don’t use it as a phone…
I recently started using SimpleX with a few people and it is honestly visually and technically the same as Telegram, without all the privacy and security issues that come with Telegram. Perhaps that might be a solution for you guys?
Yeah, it's frustrating.
PS - WhatsApp does have a browser version. Not sure if that presents the same issues as your VPN but honestly, unless I'm pirating content online, I don't turn on my VPN (mine is Mullvad btw, I get a 10% discount paying for 3 mos at a time in BTC)
Honestly, I prefer non-SMS or RCS texts.
Comparability is still an issue between iPhones and Android devices. Plus everything is still pretty much in the clear for Google and apple
Nope.
They find anything that's not in normie-land strange and don't trust it. 😑
The thing is I can't use my phone number to sign up for any Meta apps at all now. So... That doesn't matter.
Yup.
Man... Trying to get them to use signal is like pulling teeth. So, no. I haven't and won't bother trying to get them to use anything different again. I'm tired of that fight.
I've been banned from facebook for years and you've joined in ostracizing me, so I have less than zero fucking sympathy for the pain you're going to experience as your ostracization continues to get worse.
Why?
Device to device stuff is fine.
Group texting will has issue.
I fucking despise group texts… those get insta muted every time…
We should have the right to the most minimal amount of physical location identifying privacy. The option that is (and im not picking on you btw, but shouting out loud) "just try turning you vpn off" is, to me, equivalent of "just take down all the walls in your house so the neighbors, police, and companies can easily see that you're not up to any criminal activity when they come by to check on you"
Don't wear any clothes either so we can make sure you're not hiding and illegal items in your pockets or under your shirt.
They are useful for coordinating certain activities.
Gimme a group text over an email chain anyfuckingday.
I also agree with this
I'm familiar with it.
It's like asking someone: "what's your mailing address? I want to mail you a package...in **my postal code**" The last part is an insane failure of logic. 😔
I'm in the same boat, have been for years. Now with things like discord and snapchat and whatever else automatically tattling every word you said to the feds so they can kick your doors in in a matter of minutes regardless of the context.
Even sms is somewhat off limits and is purposely de-prioritize it. And yes, the normie has 1000 apps on their phone, but they won't add one more for you. And in their mind it's nothing they need to concern themselves with and they haven't been affected enough to care. So they don't find our reason valid.
If you had any idea how upset my friends/family get when I tell them I "can't" scan a QR code or I won't answer their phone calls XD.
Yeah, I'm also not on WhatsApp. It's like social death.
Gives me more time for Nostr, tho.
Arguing with anons on Nostr > Arguing with the neighbors on WhatsApp
Well... Some postal codes are huge. 🤷♂️
No. Ew!
Yup.
It is utterly maddening.
Amen. 🤣🤣🤣
I don't use Google anymore and most of those services really don't like VoIP numbers, so...
I can do without. 🤷♂️
Arguing with the neighbours on Nostr would be cool though
I also don’t use email for anything really either fuck that bs
I don't think so... I kinda don't want my neighbors on nostr at this time. 🤣
Owning a managed services company kinda requires it otherwise we wouldn't use it either.
Just google and apple? Not it's available for just about anyone who asks and has your phone number. I need to get better at saving these articles for times like this. I think it was like ATT and Version had a way _literally anyone with the right number_ could ask for permission to see call logs and SMS messages. No clearance, no subpoena and it was automated I believe. I think it lasted for quite some time and was only leaked to the public a few years ago. Also sms encryption is so painfully weak a 1980 calculator could break the encryption, and they don't rotate. Everyone between your device and a cell tower could read your text messages and call metadata. Numbers, ring times, etc.
Well it’s kinda a need then…
Yup. I'm aware of that, which is why I don't and won't use anything RCS for anything important.
@The Beave the flagged number is the part worth telling her, because it shows the account was never really yours to keep. one tap on a different app is a small ask next to losing a number to a filter you never saw.
I have tried to explain it. She doesn't care to listen.
Just force it. The more pressure the governments apply, the bigger our rights to move our boundaries and the more aggressive actions we should take.
If she doesn't want to communicate using a safe IM, then just inform her where you are available, why her IM is unsafe and delete whatsapp.
I know a place, big place, where Signal is actually very popular and it's a way better choice than whatsapp. And I was a part, one the reasons why it is like that. But it wasn't asking, it was forcing, pressing and pushing. And now people thank me for forcing them, back then, into safer apps
I don't have the fortitude to push for it anymore. It was hard enough to get my fam on Signal but I had a helper in my BIL since he's nearly as conspiratorial as I am.
I get you. Sometimes it's just overwhelming. But guess what, it's a normal feeling when you try to change things! One step at a time, retreat, regroup and continue
Yup!
SimpleX is in normie land now 🤷🏼♀️
It isn't Meta or Google or Apple. 🤮
what messaging app do you use, i'm really tired of finding one, most popular apps i tried have some kind of bugs, signal is not a option because of its number requires
Simplex, in that case. It works well and is very (sometimes too) secure.
Make sure you don’t share all the same relays 😁
🤣🤣🤣
what VPN gets you kicked from Meta? Not kidding... that's the VPN I will start using.
Proton, mostly. But it isn't at much just using it as kind of intentionally setting my location to obviously impossible locations. 🤣🤣🤣
I think anyone can replicate that kind of behavior and get banned.