this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2024
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Not the solution you looking for as I feel, but I leave it here for others to discover: With a home server and proper technical knowledge you can use WhatsApp via Matrix: https://matrix.org/ecosystem/bridges/whatsapp/
This is something I discovered way before, when I was trying to ditch Facebook Messenger. I felt like there's absolutely no chance to convince everyone around me to use Signal, so even not having the app on the phone looked like an OK option.
I had a look into this in the past, but it wasn’t for me as I don’t have a home server.
I think you could also pay some service to host a server for you, but I’m saving my geeky money for other projects.
Beeper is a free app that is built on the same matrix bridges, and it takes care of hosting for you. Downside is that this requires you to trust beeper
I heard you still need to log into WhatsApp every few days for the bridge to keep working though. How long were you using the bridge for (or if you're still using it, how long have you been using it for) without having WhatsApp installed at all?
I haven't had to reauthorize WhatsApp in months.
That's really reassuring. I may go down that route then. Thanks!
Not sure if you haven't read my comment, or just didn't get the jist of it: the point is that you can use the service without installing their crappy app.
My understanding of Whatsapp's data collection is that since the messages are encrypted, Meta "only" profiles you using metadata. If you use a matrix bridge to communicate, they would lose out on data like how you interact with their app and when you open it as well as location data but would still get to know when and who you send messages to.
Just check what privileges these apps ask for when you're installing them. They could get infinitely more data then "just" the ones tied to the conversations.
So once again my point is that, if their app is not touching my phone, that's one bullet dodged.
Not sure why you are being downvoted. Their main problem was the data that was given when you give them permissions. So why the hell is not giving them permissions not a reasonable solution?