With all the debate around #WhatsApp and the appeal to move to Signal, I spent some time reading about the two.
Here's why I've decided to not make the switch:🧵
Here's why I've decided to not make the switch:🧵
1. Why the sudden fuss?
If you're using an app that uses a Facebook SDK (most of them do), chances are a lot more information is already being shared. WhatsApp is just another one to enter the game.
If you're using an app that uses a Facebook SDK (most of them do), chances are a lot more information is already being shared. WhatsApp is just another one to enter the game.
https://mobile.twitter.com/deepakabbot/status/1348128404143439872
If you're still going to use #Instagram, Facebook or Messenger, this switch literally means nothing. Insta DMs are not even encrypted. A lot more data continues to be swooped on. I would be more concerned about these than WhatsApp, which is E2E encrypted.
forbes.com/sites/zakdoffm…
forbes.com/sites/zakdoffm…
2. How is the core different?
Coming to encryption, people have their doubts on WhatsApp. Guess who implemented encryption for WhatsApp? Signal!!
Open Whisper Foundation, the parent company of Signal implemented & integrated E2E encryption in WhatsApp.
signal.org/blog/whatsapp-…
Coming to encryption, people have their doubts on WhatsApp. Guess who implemented encryption for WhatsApp? Signal!!
Open Whisper Foundation, the parent company of Signal implemented & integrated E2E encryption in WhatsApp.
signal.org/blog/whatsapp-…
If this is the case, I should be as concerned about Signal's encryption as I am for WhatsApp's.
Further, as social media, the app focuses on my public interactions. My social circle keeps changing. Things are already scary when it comes to privacy regarding my personal habits
Further, as social media, the app focuses on my public interactions. My social circle keeps changing. Things are already scary when it comes to privacy regarding my personal habits
3. A lost game
At this point, I should be more concerned about Google than FB. To enlist a few, Google knows about where I go, what I search, whom I contact, what I watch, and how I write. Compare this to what the new WhatsApp terms ask you for. We've already lost the game.
At this point, I should be more concerned about Google than FB. To enlist a few, Google knows about where I go, what I search, whom I contact, what I watch, and how I write. Compare this to what the new WhatsApp terms ask you for. We've already lost the game.
With Google assistant being active by default, your voice is being processed all the time. How do you think the model differentiates your "Ok Google" from other speech? To make things worse, a group of humans has access to these voice recordings.
inc.com/jason-aten/goo…
inc.com/jason-aten/goo…
4. It's a business
Might seem obvious, but WhatsApp is a business, here to earn money. We aren't paying them since forever. The cost is letting them derive and share insights from our data to businesses. I personally don't mind it as opposed to having to pay them say 2000 rs/yr.
Might seem obvious, but WhatsApp is a business, here to earn money. We aren't paying them since forever. The cost is letting them derive and share insights from our data to businesses. I personally don't mind it as opposed to having to pay them say 2000 rs/yr.
To sum up, I'm already sharing more than what is expected. This outcry should had happened long ago. However I'll continue to take these precautions:
- Not backing chats on Google Drive
- Not using their UPI
- Exercising all available privacy options
faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/…
- Not backing chats on Google Drive
- Not using their UPI
- Exercising all available privacy options
faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/…
5. A good Signal ?
Coming to Signal, it has its own set of issues to be addressed.
Same encryption algo, can also access my contacts. Poor UI/UX, limited features. Signal has started as non profit. If they change their terms 2 yrs later, where do we go next?
Coming to Signal, it has its own set of issues to be addressed.
Same encryption algo, can also access my contacts. Poor UI/UX, limited features. Signal has started as non profit. If they change their terms 2 yrs later, where do we go next?
During BLM protests in US, protestors used Signal to carry operations while evading legal authorities.
If something like this happens in India (Kashmir, terrorism, naxals etc.), Modi won't think twice before banning the app citing rightful national security issues. Where next?
If something like this happens in India (Kashmir, terrorism, naxals etc.), Modi won't think twice before banning the app citing rightful national security issues. Where next?
I prefer to demand a common standard privacy policy law than demand new apps.
Unless you have stopped using the other ones, ask yourself: Are you really concerned about privacy or are you concerned about people expecting you to be concerned about privacy? n/n
Unless you have stopped using the other ones, ask yourself: Are you really concerned about privacy or are you concerned about people expecting you to be concerned about privacy? n/n
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