Everyone is now realizing that WhatsApp is evolving towards its latest form (archive.md/L3W74). If you value secure messaging, you may want to check out @signalapp or @matrix (wich is #federated). EPFL also has its own Matrix instance at matrix.epfl.ch (use @element as a client).
#SecureMessaging #WhatsApp #WhatsappAlternative #Signal #Matrix #Element #Privacy #SelfHosted
Im very impressed with Slidge whatsapp bridge on my Prosody server. It is far more stable and reliable than I ever expected, and means I do not need any Facebook owned apps on my personal phone, as whatsapp is installed on my work phone only and slidge is linked to that ( my workplace use it, because free and “everyone has it” heh.)
My family have refused to move over to xmpp after the matrix server we used shut down, even after I ran a few different test servers on both prosody and ejabberd and tested reliability of the platforms and mobile notifications. (Both work great, but at the time I decided on Prosody.) My family’s reasoning was that they already use whatsapp and I’m just being weird.
The slow creep of rights and privacy erosion is disturbing to me, and the small amount I can do like running my own fedi instance and chat server at least helps me keep my sense of sanity in this crazier and crazier world of surveillance and data harvesting.
A bridge to the chat platform at least means it isn’t on my phone that is with me everywhere, and doesn’t inconvenience my family from me being the “weird extremist”.
We do what we can.
Der Elektronischen #Patientenakte sollen viele Menschen widersprochen haben.
Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt gibt es dafür gute Gründe.
Aber warum organisieren sich Menschen mit verschiedensten Erkrankungen in Selbsthilfegruppen z.B. via #Facebook, #WhatsApp oder tauschen sich via #Zoom aus?
Sensibelste Daten werden in fragwürdigen Systemen freiwillig preisgegeben. Da wäre im Vergleich die ePA warscheinlich das geringste Übel.
Und freiwillig? Als Betroffener hat man manchmal keine andere Wahl, weil nichts Datenschutzfreundliches angeboten/ genutzt wird oder man auf Unverständnis stößt, wenn man darauf aufmerksam macht.
Wie ist das bei @FatigatioeV@mastodon.social
#MECFS #HZL #ePA #Selbsthilfe
🚨 WARNING: Google is trying to force you into using #Gemini AI on Android in #Gmail, #WhatsApp & other apps - hijacking your data for "AI training"
This is opted in by default – so check your Settings to opt out.
Here’s how: 👉 tuta.com/blog/how-to-disable-g…
Gemini AI needs to be disabled on Android or it will override your privacy settings and gain full access to your texts, calls, and WhatsApp - even if you’ve turned off Gemini Apps Activity.Tuta
Edit: As of build 2.25.20.83, this issue has been solved. The Voice Message button now behaves as expected.
PSA: If you use VoiceOver to send voice messages on iOS with WhatsApp build 2.25.20.75 and tend to lock the button, you will find it difficult to send the message. The send button disappears from VoiceOver's consciousness and the only way to have it reappear is to use screen recognition.
If you simply double-tap and hold, speak and then send to release, you will be fine.
I recommend either not updating at this time if you haven't already, or if you have, double-tap and hold for the foreseeable.
Be advised that shutting down WhatsApp completely and reopening the conversation will hide the text box as well as the send button from VoiceOver until screen-recognition is used, so even this is not an easy work-around.
Feel free to pass this on as necessary.
#WhatsApp #VoiceOver #iOS
🚨 WhatsApp is getting ADs 🚨
First #MetaAI in your messenger & now #ADs. 🫣
But will it stop there? Probably not!
Find out more here 👉 tuta.com/blog/how-to-turn-off-…
WhatsApp users say hello to ads - or turn them off with this guide! Meta-owned instant chat app has announced that it will soon start showing ads. But why did WhatsApp break its no-ad promise?Tuta
Aunque el objetivo del vídeo es dejar a #WhatsApp en evidencia, también otorgo una parte no-despreciable del vídeo a #Signal, como la gran alternativa.
También nombro a #XMPP (vivo amenazado por la furia de @kyva), PERO:
Signal es el único "quita-y-pon" 🧩 que tenemos ahora mismo, para seguir conversando con **nuestros contactos telefónicos**, sin tener que ir preguntando a todo quisqui por su dirección.
Que ya los iremos metiendo en el saco federado, pero tú estate en Signal mientrastanto. 😉
Hice un vídeo para que puedas enviárselo a tus personas cercanas, explicando lo fácil que es dejar #WhatsApp, y por qué es importante hacerlo. 💬
fediverse.tv/w/35Lvufq1XW8ZVBT… (@ivangj@fediverse.tv)
También disponible en YouTube por si quieres evitar rozamientos 😅.
#SoftwareLibre #PeerTube #Chat #Signal #XMPP #DeltaChat #Matrix
Good point! With Signal Foundation I'm confident they'll never introduce ads because they're a nonprofit unlike #WhatsApp which got sold to Meta eventually. Still Signal service and app are single points of failure.
What we actually need is messaging infrastructure with the quality of Signal but in a federated manner.
I really liked Conversations but the Signal protocol seems to have won over #XMPP so far.
Is #WhatsApp introducing #ads the last straw for you?
noyb.eu/en/whatsapp-getting-ad…
Consider using #Prav instead, which is:
🗳️ community-driven, so you can push for features you like, and, more importantly, vote against changes you dislike!
🆓 freedom-respecting, so you can fork the code to make things work the way you want
standards-based, using the #XMPP protocol
🌐 part of the federated #Jabber network, so you can switch apps and instances without having to drag everyone else along with you!
Meta is expanding its ads business on WhatsApp using your data from Instagram and Facebooknoyb.eu
All these thoughts are unfortunately completely irrelevant. Whatever I think about #Telegram (or #Signal for that matter) doesn't matter when I don't know almost anybody using it. All my friends, family, and such are on #WhatsApp so that's it for me. I actually use a bridge (by #Element, paid for) from #Matrix, but without that I would either have to use their app or be that strange guy who communicates only via #SMS (as I was for many years).
I am becoming increasingly doubtful of #Telegram's background and direction. #WhatsApp is owned by #Meta and just announced that it will introduce ads. So, it looks like I'm left with #Signal and #Matrix. The former has better UX, but it's centralized and US-based. The latter is a bit clumsy but decentralized and EU-based. Neither is perfect, but they are the closest to it for me.
#deltachat is secure against server-side group membership changes but for a very different reason than #signal which keeps encrypted group membership data in a central store.
Delta Chat has _no_ central store but implements a rigidly tested #p2p group membership model where servers play no role github.com/chatmail/models/tre…
Both signal and delta chat are safe against recently published attacks against #whatsapp that can add members to chats, breaking end to end encryption. arstechnica.com/security/2025/…
The weakness creates the possibility of an insider or hacker adding rogue members.Dan Goodin (Ars Technica)
We asked, you answered! Here's Tuta's updated list of best #WhatsApp alternatives in 2025 👏
Which one is your favorite? 🤔Do comment below - or check out our detailed review first! 👉tuta.com/blog/best-whatsapp-al…
Free encrypted messengers similar to WhatsApp for iPhone, Android and desktops exist, and some open source apps don't ask for a phone number.Tuta
FBI Warning on Messaging Apps: Time to Rethink What "Secure" Really Means
The FBI recently urged Americans to switch from SMS to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal.
Read More at: puri.sm/posts/fbi-raises-alarm…
#Cybersecurity #Privacy #Surveillance #Signal #WhatsApp
Purism makes premium phones, laptops, mini PCs and servers running free software on PureOS. Purism products respect people's privacy and freedom while protecting their security.Purism SPC
Noticed #MetaAI is now in #WhatsApp? 🫣 If this concerns you, you're not alone 💛
In our latest guide, we look at how you can get rid of Meta AI 👉 tuta.com/blog/how-to-turn-off-…
Noticed an AI assistant is now in your WhatsApp? Meta’s AI feature is now being rolled out in the EU and you can’t turn it off – but you can stop the AI invasion by opting for privacy-focused alternatives.Tuta
Meta is collecting your #WhatsApp metadata 👉 Protect your communications with these European alternatives to WhatsApp!
WhatsApp shares:
✅ Your location
✅ Your device
✅ Who you're writing
✅ When you write them
✅ How often you write them
✅ Whether they reply
Are you already using one of these #PrivateMessengers?🔒
Bonjour ici, dans le cadre de mon projet MIO ⊛ je fais un sondage pour savoir combien vous êtes prêt à payer un service pour chatter depuis une seule appli et un seul compte avec des gens sur #xmpp #matrix #sip mais aussi #whatsapp et #facebook_messenger sans avoir de compte chez eux !!
Si c’est pas clair, un peu plus de détails là : mio.chat/
#interoperabilite avec #mio_chat
#boost apprécié ! 🙏 🤗
My grandmother recently got locked out of #WhatsApp because her phone broke, and the spare one we had on hand is one WhatsApp has decided is too old to run on 💀
Fortunately, #XMPP has no such qualms! She's currently keeping up with the family group chat on #Quicksy while others of us use #Conversations, #DinoIM, and #Gajim. (Of course, extended family and friends are another matter 😔)
This serves as a reminder that closed apps may close you out—but open protocols have your back forever!
that is why I don't like people recommending moving from #WhatsApp to #Signal, better use messengers that don't depend on US servers and companies, like European messengers like #ArcaneChat
I really recommend you to give a try to #DeltaChat anonymous login without any phone number or any private data required, you can create as many accounts and add as many devices as you want, all work smoothly no encryption problems with multi-device etc and it has a better interface than #matrix on the level of #WhatsApp and #Telegram super user-friendly and painless to onboard family and friends
And you LITERALLY own your data and can browse it and search it offline
#WhatsApp shares its metadata with #Meta
They know:
✅ Your location
✅ Your device
✅ Who you're writing
✅ When you write them
✅ How often you write them
✅ Whether they reply
Stop this tracking with a #privacy-first alternatives: 👉 tuta.com/blog/best-whatsapp-al…
What is your favorite?
Review: Lots of messengers are similar to WhatsApp for Android, iPhone and desktop, and some don't ask for a phone number.Tuta
🚨 Welke gegevens van je zou #Meta nog meer allemaal gebruiken om #AI te trainen? 🤔
tweakers.net/nieuws/231648/met…
#WhatsApp heeft al AI in de app...🤷 faq.whatsapp.com/1002544104126…
Zeker zijn dat je privégesprekken en data niet en nooit worden gebruikt? Kies #Signal: signal.org/install
Meta gebruikte naar verluidt ruim 80TB aan illegaal verkregen data om het Llama-llm te trainen. Werknemers van het bedrijf zouden onder meer ruim 35TB aan documenten uit Z-Library en LibGen hebben gedownload aan de hand van torrents.Yannick Spinner (Tweakers)
📣 Happy #GlobalSwitchDay to all the brave frontrunners out there!
For whom February 1st came a little too soon, don't worry! Just try again on March 1st and celebrate Zero Discrimination Day in the beautiful #fediverse. Alternatively, you can switch on April 1st, as only fools stay behind ;) or join your friends on May 1st and put your ideals to work.
Help spread the word.
#WhatsApp #Signal #Reddit #Lemmy #X #Mastodon #Instagram #Pixelfed #Facebook #friendica #Youtube #Peertube #Tiktok #loops
migrating from #WhatsApp to another centralized platform is not a real solution, that's why we are here in the #Fediverse and not in #BlueSky
Migrate from #WhatsApp to #DeltaChat and other decentralized alternatives, break free out of the silos once and for all and stop feeding billionaires/CEO incubators
#ArcaneChat #XMPP #Matrix #SimpleX #Session #decentralization #encryption
Signal is a secure messenger, but there are interesting alternatives, such as @matrix , @session , @delta , @simplex or XMPP …
➡️ matrix.org
➡️ delta.chat
➡️ simplex.chat
➡️ xmpp.org
If you’d like to learn more about these options, have a look at the responses to this toot.
#matrix #session #signal #XMPP #messenger #decentralized #tech #technology #OpenSource #FOSS #WhatsApp #security #InfoSec #data #safety
Session is a private messenger that aims to remove any chance of metadata collection by routing all messages through an onion routing network.Session
Gebruik je #WhatsApp? Dan support je #Meta. #Instagram is ook van Meta.
"Het is dinsdag niet mogelijk om verschillende zoekopdrachten gerelateerd aan politieke tegenstanders van Donald Trump uit te voeren via Instagram."
Wil je werkelijk een bedrijf met zulke ondemocratische praktijken steunen?
Maak de switch je kunt het! Heb je vragen, laat het me weten!
Schakel over naar @signalapp of @matrix
nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/01/21/insta…
#BanWhatsapp #BanMeta #signal #signalapp #matrix #opensource #FOSS
By popular demand, a single post to boost global switch day across multiple platforms on February 1st 2025.
For those who can no longer get behind Musk or Meta's new policies and feel like switching (e.g. from #Whatsapp to #Signal, from #Instagram to #Pixelfed or from #X to #Mastodon) I made you some graphics to use freely in communicating with your contacts.
Let’s lead by example 🙂
Die Welt ist voller Messenger und gefühlt nutzen die allermeisten #WhatsApp, #Telegram oder #Signal.
Alle haben ihre individuellen Vor- und Nachteile und wer sich dann noch die die üblichen Sicherheitsseiten anschaut, z.B. @kuketzblog , wird schnell feststellen: Es gibt nicht DEN einen Messenger, den alle gut finden.
Warum ich unter den verfügbaren Alternativen neben @signalapp @matrix nutze, habe ich hier zusammengefasst:
Dieser Server dient uns als eine Informations- bzw. Austauschs-Plattform für alle Menschen, die sich konstruktiv und kreativ mit den Themen FreeBSD, LINUX, IT-Sicherheit und allgemeinen Netzwerkthemen befassen und austauschen möchten.bsdbox.de
![FEBRUARY 1ST 2025 GLOBAL SWITCH DAY WhatsApp to [matrix] white text / logos on plain green | black background](https://fedi.ml/photo/preview/640/631000 "FEBRUARY 1ST 2025 GLOBAL SWITCH DAY WhatsApp to [matrix] white text / logos on plain green | black background")
