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I would strongly disagree (respectfully). I'm in the UK. I've been using Signal for years, precisely because of WhatsApp and Meta and what they really stand f
by djaychela 1y ago
I would strongly disagree (respectfully). I'm in the UK.
I've been using Signal for years, precisely because of WhatsApp and Meta and what they really stand for. Kids (adult) and family are all on it because of me.
Initially, I was the only person who used it, but I refused to used WhatsApp and got four of my friends (who were the only real group chat users I was interested in talking to) to use Signal. We all regularly use it, even though they are all on WhatsApp. They know my ethical objections to WA and Meta. Every Friday there will be a group call - even though we're all on iPhones now (I was on Android for many years).
One in particular takes the mickey out of me for it sometimes because he says "What difference are you making? One Person? Makes no odds."
But it -does- make a difference. A tiny one, maybe, but it's something that has been worth making the effort for. I think it's important to tread the right line between expressing why you're doing it and not making yourself unpopular but I think it's an important thing to try to do.
And now if anyone asks if I have WA I just say I don't use it, you can either text me or use Signal. I have probably 20 contacts on there, and anyone who I have meaningful connections with uses Signal. Once installed it's basically zero friction for them, they just find me there instead of WA.
I know network effects are massive, and it won't shift any time soon, but I think it's important to draw an ethical line in the sand, and it's something I decided to do a long time ago. One guy gave me a WA ultimatum and I just said "OK, but that's not for me, I'm not using it", and that was that for about a month. Then he installed Signal.
Any business that communicates via it I express my preference and if they insist that's how they message (had this with an insurance company!) then I say I won't use their business any longer.
- neepi 1y agoI think you might be an outlier. I've got 150 contacts on whatsapp, over 200 on my phone. I am on several organised groups on whatsapp with 150+ members who use it for event management. They are never going to signal. There isn't the momentum.
- djaychela 1y ago>I think you might be an outlier. I may well be. But outliers are important. It is possible. WA has massive network effects, of course. It's embedded. And I agree it's unlikely to change without a combination of legal controls and societal awareness (both of which seem extremely less likely than say a year ago). But if everyone gave up when faced with such a situation, the world would be in a worse place than it is today. And Meta are relying on exactly that happening.
- gausswho 1y agoAppreciate your standing ground. I try too and just accept you will lose some and win some. It's actually quite liberating as long as the ones you lose you really are willing to lose. I expect this is very difficult outside of urban environments.
- pcthrowaway 1y agoPeople are taking note. Maybe it's because I'm mainly doing anti-fascist organizing and work now, but it seems like everyone I know is using Signal. Even people who don't care as much and for whom it's not their primary driver still have it and communicate with people who use it. My family were the last hold-out but they've moved over recently as well because they knew it would be the only way to stay in touch with me