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I don't like ads either, but they're only going to be in channels, not in groups and private conversations. And if someone really wants to block ads, there are

I don't like ads either, but they're only going to be in channels, not in groups and private conversations. And if someone really wants to block ads, there are alternatives: * Build and install a custom client with your own API key, and don't share it with anyone * Use an Xposed module (already exists) or Cydia tweak if you're willing to root/jailbreak your phone As for the encryption, it depends on your threat model. Yes, full E2E by default would be ideal, but even with their default cloud encryption they're probably a lot more trustable than Facebook & co. According to their FAQ, the data is scattered across servers in multiple jurdistictions, so a lot of governments would have to team up to get any data out of them. But also, how do you handle convenient cloud backup/sync with full E2E? WhatsApp and Viber both constantly manage to lose messages for me when restoring after a device reset or switch.

esarbe 5y ago
Why not just use Signal instead?
- theshrike79 5y ago
  Bad tools for moderating large channels, no bot support.
  - esarbe 5y ago
    I don't know about the moderation tools for large channels, but bots should be possible: https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli
    - theshrike79 5y ago
      Well bots are "possible" even for WhatsApp, that doesn't mean they are actually supported. Having to use patched libraries and burner phones for SMS verification isn't really something I want to get into =) Compared to Telegram and Discord where basic bots aren't a lot more than a fancy curl call, this is just bonkers.
GekkePrutser 5y ago
> As for the encryption, it depends on your threat model. Yes, full E2E by default would be ideal, but even with their default cloud encryption they're probably a lot more trustable than Facebook & co. According to their FAQ, the data is scattered across servers in multiple jurdistictions, so a lot of governments would have to team up to get any data out of them. Well, with WA I know they won't have access to it, except the metadata. With telegram I have to trust they they are probably more trustable. And yes I know the metadata is more valuable anyway to the likes of FB. But yeah the ads are going to be in Channels for now, I don't even use those. But I doubt it'll stop there. For me it's a bit like a bridge they cross that leads to a dark path. I don't mind paying for a good chat service but not with ads. > But also, how do you handle convenient cloud backup/sync with full E2E? WhatsApp and Viber both constantly manage to lose messages for me when restoring after a device reset or switch I don't really care about backing up my messages. But I send all my chats through Matrix now (with Bridges) so it keeps a log for me there (but on my own server). But I have not see this kind of issue with WA in the past when I did use that feature.

esarbe 5y ago

Why not just use Signal instead?

theshrike79 5y ago
Bad tools for moderating large channels, no bot support.
- esarbe 5y ago
  I don't know about the moderation tools for large channels, but bots should be possible: https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli
  - theshrike79 5y ago
    Well bots are "possible" even for WhatsApp, that doesn't mean they are actually supported. Having to use patched libraries and burner phones for SMS verification isn't really something I want to get into =) Compared to Telegram and Discord where basic bots aren't a lot more than a fancy curl call, this is just bonkers.

GekkePrutser 5y ago

> As for the encryption, it depends on your threat model. Yes, full E2E by default would be ideal, but even with their default cloud encryption they're probably a lot more trustable than Facebook & co. According to their FAQ, the data is scattered across servers in multiple jurdistictions, so a lot of governments would have to team up to get any data out of them. Well, with WA I know they won't have access to it, except the metadata. With telegram I have to trust they they are probably more trustable. And yes I know the metadata is more valuable anyway to the likes of FB. But yeah the ads are going to be in Channels for now, I don't even use those. But I doubt it'll stop there. For me it's a bit like a bridge they cross that leads to a dark path. I don't mind paying for a good chat service but not with ads. > But also, how do you handle convenient cloud backup/sync with full E2E? WhatsApp and Viber both constantly manage to lose messages for me when restoring after a device reset or switch I don't really care about backing up my messages. But I send all my chats through Matrix now (with Bridges) so it keeps a log for me there (but on my own server). But I have not see this kind of issue with WA in the past when I did use that feature.