People are leaving WhatsApp

Mic 1972 · 14-01-2021 10:13pm #1

WhatsApp users are abandoning the platform for Telegram and Signal after Mark Zuckerberg updated its privacy policies to allow WhatsApp to share its users’ data with Facebook.

Telegram reported that 25 million people joined its service in just 72 hours, bringing its total active users to half a billion.
Signal has also seen a huge boost in numbers.

Are we seeing the beginning of something here?
I have downloaded both Telegram and Signal as i also won't be accepting WhatsApp new terms and conditions.
Maybe it's time to bring competitors into the arena

Smee_Again · 14-01-2021 10:14pm

Any evidence that WhatsApp have lost users?

JasonStatham · 14-01-2021 10:16pm

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes out of fashion. These tech things come and go. Remember MySpace? Remember bebo?

Mic 1972 · 14-01-2021 10:19pm

Smee_Again wrote: »

Any evidence that WhatsApp have lost users?

The deadline to accept the new condition is 8th Feb, not sure if anyone has left already - i haven't yet - but after the deadline whoever hasn't accepted the conditions will not be able to use the app anymore.
The millions of people who signed up for Telegram and Signal in the last few days might be an indication that WhatsApp is going to shed a few users soon.

Donald Trump · 14-01-2021 10:19pm

JasonStatham wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes out of fashion. These tech things come and go. Remember MySpace? Remember bebo?

The fella who sold bebo for something like 300 or 400 million dollars bought it back about 2 years later for 1 million purely for nostalgic reasons

Edit: Was 5 years later and went from 850 million down to 1 million. He probably didn't get all the 850 million though! https://venturebeat.com/2013/07/01/bebo-bargain-after-selling-to-aol-for-850m-in-2008-founders-buy-it-back-for-1m/

Gmak2442 · 14-01-2021 10:21pm

In my case, it will depends on my gfs. I don't mind much: a new app is always funny; I don't think a famous app could be bad.

maccored · 14-01-2021 10:22pm

everyones stealing your data anyway

rdhma · 14-01-2021 10:23pm

Some Whatsapp groups I'm in have just moved to Signal.
Will be encouraging other groups to do so.
I have too many contacts on Whatsapp to be able to drop it completely, but will definitely be using it less.

Mic 1972 · 14-01-2021 10:23pm

Twitter will be next, its stocks value keep dropping.

Mic 1972 · 14-01-2021 10:25pm

maccored wrote: »

everyones stealing your data anyway

Some more than others
And too much power in the hands of too few companies has become a serious threat.

McMurphy · 14-01-2021 10:27pm

I still use Jumbuck on WAP.

biko · 14-01-2021 10:29pm

Recent and not so recent events have left Mark, Jeff, Jack, Sundar and Tim pretty much in charge of the planet.

doublejobbing 2 · 14-01-2021 10:33pm

Jim Corr used his Facebook to tell us he was leaving WhatsApp because, presumably, of its links to Facebook.

Tells you all you need to know about this alright.

14-01-2021 10:37pm

Mic 1972 wrote: »

Twitter will be next, its stocks value keep dropping.

Hopefully
Its the worst of all platforms
Absolutely horrid place.

I deleted all my fake accounts there lately, they must be hameorraging users

colm_mcm · 14-01-2021 10:38pm

Mic 1972 wrote: »

The deadline to accept the new condition is 8th Feb, not sure if anyone has left already - i haven't yet - but after the deadline whoever hasn't accepted the conditions will not be able to use the app anymore.
The millions of people who signed up for Telegram and Signal in the last few days might be an indication that WhatsApp is going to shed a few users soon.

So what are you on about in your OP so?

Hercule Poirot · 14-01-2021 10:40pm

I don't use Facebook so this doesn't bother me in the slightest

NIMAN · 14-01-2021 10:41pm

I don't think enough people will leave to make them worry about it.

If something pops up asking is it ok that we can share your data with FB, 99.9% of users will click ok and get on with sending messages.

Silentcorner · 14-01-2021 10:42pm

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Jim Corr used his Facebook to tell us he was leaving WhatsApp because, presumably, of its links to Facebook.

Tells you all you need to know about this alright.

What are you doing following Jim Corr?

Rubberchikken · 14-01-2021 10:43pm

I've accepted their terms. No issue. Always use WhatsApp. Its handy. I've never used facebook etc. And have no interest in using them.

People aren't very smart if they complain about the changes to WhatsApp but willingly post their life on facebook, instagram etc.

freshpopcorn · 14-01-2021 10:43pm

There welcome to pictures of my cats and Christmas tree!

Weepsie · 14-01-2021 10:44pm

Hercule Poirot wrote: »

I don't use Facebook so this doesn't bother me in the slightest

If anything it should bother you more than, as you never were giving data over to Facebook's parent company. Now you will be.

Data is all they want so they can package it and sell it to analyst companies, advertising companies etc

14-01-2021 10:45pm

How can I check if I accepted these terms?

Quantum Erasure · 14-01-2021 10:46pm

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Jim Corr used his Facebook to tell us he was leaving WhatsApp because, presumably, of its links to Facebook.

Tells you all you need to know about this alright.

I didnt believe you, but its actually true...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158807400620867&id=600640866

Jimbob1977 · 14-01-2021 10:49pm

Facebook own WhatsApp.

I don't see the big deal.

SnuggyBear · 14-01-2021 10:50pm

I'd like to use something else but it would be hard to get my friends to move.
I have deleted Facebook, twitter, Instagram and I've reduced my Google and amazon use as much as I can.

RobAMerc · 14-01-2021 10:53pm

as far as I know this is not true - because the EU wouldnt allow it and FB had to comply
it is true in the rest of the world

gozunda · 14-01-2021 10:53pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

Facebook own WhatsApp.

I don't see the big deal.

New policy

The updated privacy policy requires users to “agree” to share data it collects about you — such as your phone number and location — with Facebook by Feb. 8 or else lose access to their accounts.

This data will be shared with the broader Facebook network, such as Instagram and Messenger, and applies regardless of whether you have accounts or profiles there.

The option to share data with Facebook has existed on the app for years, but up until now, it was only an option.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7570323/whatsapp-facebook-privacy-policy-explained/

An Ri rua · 14-01-2021 10:54pm

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Jim Corr used his Facebook to tell us he was leaving WhatsApp because, presumably, of its links to Facebook.

Tells you all you need to know about this alright.

I found out on Boards from one of his fanboys.

rom · 14-01-2021 10:55pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

as far as I know this is not true - because the EU wouldnt allow it and FB had to comply
it is true in the rest of the world

You still get the question to accept here but you don't have to. In the US they can stop it working if you don't accept but not here.

The Whatzapp lads left a long time ago.

osarusan · 14-01-2021 11:00pm

Seems not to be the case in Europe at least.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/whatsapp-says-european-users-do-not-have-to-share-data-with-facebook-1.4452435

WhatsApp says European users do not have to share data with Facebook
Company dismisses reports it is forcing users to agree to share info with the social network
...

Multiple media organisations reported that WhatsApp users were effectively being given an ultimatum: agree to share personal data such as contacts, phone numbers and photos with Facebook by February 8th or stop using the messaging service.

However, WhatsApp’s Irish arm, said on Thursday that although users in Europe are in the process of being issued new terms of services to which they must agree, the revised agreement did not include data sharing.

“There are no changes to WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices in the European region arising from the updated terms of service and privacy policy. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements,” a spokeswoman said.

rom · 14-01-2021 11:13pm

osarusan wrote: »

Seems not to be the case in Europe at least.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/whatsapp-says-european-users-do-not-have-to-share-data-with-facebook-1.4452435

I am going through a VPN out through the US for whatzapp and I got asked to accept the terms. Did anyone else get that?

15-01-2021 12:01am

RobAMerc wrote: »

as far as I know this is not true - because the EU wouldnt allow it and FB had to comply
it is true in the rest of the world

Exactly. These new terms and conditions which allow WhatsApp to share your data with Facebook do not apply in Europe.

TheBoyConor · 15-01-2021 12:22am

Weepsie wrote: »

If anything it should bother you more than, as you never were giving data over to Facebook's parent company. Now you will be.

Data is all they want so they can package it and sell it to analyst companies, advertising companies etc

So? Mark Zuckerberg and his anal cysts can print off all my cute cat and dog pictures and pages of flirtatious sexts and shove em up his hole for all I care. Maybe he can have himself a little hand party over my profile pictures too.
I'm not a 15 year old school girl, I pay no heed to advertising or trends. And plus, I am a marketing company's worst nightmare - I am tight as fúck and I'd make a cavan man look like a generous philanthropist.

They get my contacts? Yeah, so he gets the number of some horny hurrbag I rode off of tinder. Maybe he will give her a few flirtatious texts and nail her himself. Or maybe he will order a curry cheese chip from my local chipper.

15-01-2021 6:47am

What difference does it make if whatsapp info is shared with facebook?
Arent messenger and whatsapp practically interchangeable anyway?

suicide_circus · 15-01-2021 7:37am

Nothing to do with stealing data and everything to do with avoiding a monopoly. A politicised monopoly at that.

stoneill · 15-01-2021 8:25am

TheBoyConor wrote: »

So? Mark Zuckerberg and his anal cysts can print off all my cute cat and dog pictures and pages of flirtatious sexts and shove em up his hole for all I care. Maybe he can have himself a little hand party over my profile pictures too.
I'm not a 15 year old school girl, I pay no heed to advertising or trends. And plus, I am a marketing company's worst nightmare - I am tight as fúck and I'd make a cavan man look like a generous philanthropist.

They get my contacts? Yeah, so he gets the number of some horny hurrbag I rode off of tinder. Maybe he will give her a few flirtatious texts and nail her himself. Or maybe he will order a curry cheese chip from my local chipper.

So, you don't mind sharing her number, just asking for a friend.

paw patrol · 15-01-2021 9:27am

Hercule Poirot wrote: »

I don't use Facebook so this doesn't bother me in the slightest

Weepsie wrote: »

If anything it should bother you more than, as you never were giving data over to Facebook's parent company. Now you will be.

Data is all they want so they can package it and sell it to analyst companies, advertising companies etc

as a non facebook user like me you may feel it doesn't bother you but it should - -read an interesting article once that Facebook builds profiles on non users from the information gleaned from facebook users that contact you. It's like a ghost profile they may not know your name but that have a john doe profile built of you and your interactions with their users. The facebook app on the phone is the worst.

circadian · 15-01-2021 9:34am

I mentioned this years ago, all WhatsApp messages already go through the Facebook CDN. I have no doubt they're already trawling the data on WhatsApp, especially since they've had a few problems with people's messages being indexed by Google despite claims they're encrypted.

Not having a FB account doesn't really matter, they have a profile for you regardless compiled by cookies, trackers etc and based on the behaviour of the people around you. You may not have a profile but FB knows who you are, what food you like, your most commonly visited sites etc.

I moved loads of friends off to Telegram a few years back, the only issue is telegram group chats aren't encrypted. Be aware of that.

Wanderer78 · 15-01-2021 9:41am

Mic 1972 wrote:

Are we seeing the beginning of something here? I have downloaded both Telegram and Signal as i also won't be accepting WhatsApp new terms and conditions. Maybe it's time to bring competitors into the arena

Who cares! Best of luck with competitors, monopolisation is the game!

dubbrin · 15-01-2021 9:45am

Mic 1972 wrote: »

Twitter will be next, its stocks value keep dropping.

Didn't some orange lad leave it already last week over in the states ?

Wanderer78 · 15-01-2021 9:47am

dubbrin wrote:

Didn't some orange lad leave it already last week over in the states ?

Didn't hear about that one, but I heard a drama queen was banned

Richard Hillman · 15-01-2021 9:50am

They share the data already. End to End encryption is absolute folly. Any time I am having a conversation on WhatsApp, ads pop up on Instagram about the subject matter well before I've even googled it.

I remember one time a friend was on a group saying he got accepted into a course. We asked where it was and didn't get a reply for a while. Low and behold, I'm faffing about on Facebook in the meantime and the course and college is being advertised before he even mentioned it.

JMNolan · 15-01-2021 9:58am

Signal is a registered non-profit and open source and is affiliated with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. People should stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. Regardless of whatsapp privacy policies we should try and use tools which are not trying to make money off our data.

Wanderer78 · 15-01-2021 10:00am

JMNolan wrote:

Signal is a registered non-profit and open source and is affiliated with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. People should stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. Regardless of whatsapp privacy policies we should try and use tools which are not trying to make money off our data.

....and by fcuk should we be taxing those that do, and heavily to.....

circadian · 15-01-2021 10:08am

Richard Hillman wrote: »

They share the data already. End to End encryption is absolute folly. Any time I am having a conversation on WhatsApp, ads pop up on Instagram about the subject matter well before I've even googled it.

I remember one time a friend was on a group saying he got accepted into a course. We asked where it was and didn't get a reply for a while. Low and behold, I'm faffing about on Facebook in the meantime and the course and college is being advertised before he even mentioned it.

It's insidious, the users are the product, even if you haven't signed up for Facebook or any associated services they still collect your data to build a profile. How is that even allowed?

Wanderer78 · 15-01-2021 10:13am

circadian wrote:

It's insidious, the users are the product, even if you haven't signed up for Facebook or any associated services they still collect your data to build a profile. How is that even allowed?

Sorry to inform you but as soon as you click on the internets, You 're the product, only way to deal with that, is never use the internets. oh and we ve all allowed this to happen, and a lot of it is virtually tax free, oh and a lot of the tech involved was originally developed in publicly funded institutions and organisations

circadian · 15-01-2021 10:18am

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Sorry to inform you but as soon as you click on the internets, You 're the product, only way to deal with that, is never use the internets. oh and we ve all allowed this to happen, and a lot of it is virtually tax free, oh and a lot of the tech involved was originally developed in publicly funded institutions and organisations

I totally agree with the taxation side of it. There are ways to reduce the tracking etc but it is very difficult to remove them completely.

I run this on my home network with an old desktop/server handling all the traffic. You can use a Raspberry Pi for it too to create a PiHole.

https://github.com/StevenBlack/hosts

I also have it running on my phone and any other relevant devices.

Edit: Here's a link to PiHole. Worth a look if you are in any way interested in reducing this kind of tracking.

https://docs.pi-hole.net/

15-01-2021 10:20am

TheBoyConor wrote: »

They get my contacts? Yeah, so he gets the number of some horny hurrbag I rode off of tinder. Maybe he will give her a few flirtatious texts and nail her himself. Or maybe he will order a curry cheese chip from my local chipper.

Can I get the number of that hurrbag too? Asking for a friend.

15-01-2021 10:23am

I tried a few years ago and asked family and friends to move to signal from whatsapp, no interest from any but one person, they just didn't care or couldn't be bothered, so I'm stuck with it (whatsapp).

So what can I do?

circadian · 15-01-2021 10:26am

Deleted User wrote: »

I tried a few years ago and asked family and friends to move to signal from whatsapp, no interest from any but one person, they just didn't care or couldn't be bothered, so I'm stuck with it (whatsapp).

So what can I do?

If you want rid of it, then get rid of it. You can't control the actions of others, if someone wants to get in touch with you they can call/text or install signal to do so. I know it sounds bull headed but if you really want to move away from the platform the best thing to do is just get rid.

Mr_Muffin · 15-01-2021 10:31am

Is targeted advertising that bad? They're going to advertise anyway right, why not make it something I might at least be interested in as opposed to something I'm not.

People are leaving WhatsApp

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