this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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Two questions.

My family insist on using Whatsapp for the family chats. I have to keep a copy on a device just so I can communicate with them. I do so under protest, as I was always told it isn't secure. My brother has just said

"oh Whatsapp is encrypted, it's perfectly secure".

First, is it actually as encrypted and safe as my brother claims? That would solve everything.

Second, if it isn't, where can I get some proof that we should switch to Telegram or whatever? Proof which doesn't make me look like a raving loony?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

That's fair enough, it's really location based. Around where I am, telegram isn't that popular. I've met a few people using Signal and I have friends/collegues pop up in the "____ has Signal" section of the app.

We don't really have a dominant chat app around here, there's a good mix of messenger/instagram/iMessage, with some groups sticking to Whatsapp/WeChat/Viber.

I am trying to find a simple evidence-based way to encourage my family to change their minds, but it appears it will only make me look paranoid

I think part of it is because it's hard to convince people without first explaining how things work. Not much use in worrying about it if you can't, just look out for yourself. What you COULD do is to use the private option when you need to talk about something sensitive. If the app is installed on their phone then they're more likely to use it, and even if not then you're looking out for yourself