@BradRubenstein my pleasure Brad, let’s lead by example
I switched to Signal months ago, but convincing friends and family has been a challenge.
Do you have success stories of persuasion? What worked?
@paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein : what worked ? Not being on Whatsapp.
I had kept Whatsapp for long because of the "non-switchers". I refused to accept some new terms and, at some point, my whatsapp account was automatically cancelled.
The closest persons in my life that were not on Signal at that time switched in the next weeks.
Of course, not everyone. But I’m free.
That’s the only solution : you have to pay the price to your own freedom.
I think you nailed it. I have to keep WhatsApp because several important contacts (eg. Landlord's handyman who fixes broken shit!) simply won't switch.
Even getting friends to consider switching is 'hard', and unlike some people my 'sales-foo' is weak!
@bytebro @ploum @paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein just switch to sms with your handyman. There's still a universal (garbage) solution in sms that no one can reject if you're not on their chosen platform
Yeah, kinda makes sense, but the obvs downside is no voice or vid calls directly through SMS (that I've ever found). If I'm trying to show him exactly *what* is broken, a vid or pic is always good.
@bytebro @ploum @paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein maybe try a platform agnostic app like Meet (unfortunately still google) or Zoom, or Skype, or the like? I'm sure they have something else!
@ploum @paezha @BradRubenstein
I agree. All the people that want to keep in touch with you will find a communication channel for that.
I made that experience a long time ago when I stopped using ICQ and kept in touch with most of my ICQ contacts afterwards through other channels.
@ploum @paezha @BradRubenstein @mstrohm unintended consequence is that you find out how important you are to people in your life. For better or worse.
@ploum
Similar strategy here: Trying to convince people to switch or if they really don't want to they have to use standard text messages.
And I really like your last sentence!
@paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein on my end, nothing has worked as some of the people I communicate with are in South America, in countries where WhatsApp is TIED to the medical system. You request appointments, get confirmation from your results and access vital data on your health and general service through WhatsApp. If anyone wants to run a case study of this in Countries like Colombia I'll be happy to help, this cannot continue.
@08956495 @paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein
for official purposes, using whatsapp should be highly criminal.
@zetabeta @paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein Indeed, other than privacy concerns it's a human rights violation as elderly people who does not know how to operate a smartphone or have one, are limited to the health information they can access and how quickly they are being reached for basic care.
@zetabeta @08956495 @sylv_a @BradRubenstein
Choosing to provide public services, including PSAs, on Whatsapp, is lazy, negligent, and unconscionable
@paezha @zetabeta @sylv_a @BradRubenstein That has not stopped them from treating the elderly as "lazy" because they have a choice to have or not have a smartphone, without having any consideration for disabilities, learning curves, etc. I'm also seeing a bunch of reliance on QR codes for banking transactions instead of cash, preventing some seniors from being able to pay basic necessities.
@08956495 @paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein It becomes a hassle to keep WhatsApp around simply because of the fact that there isn't a single person here in Venezuela that doesn't use it. Even schools force the students to use it because of chat groups that the teachers make.
@paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein I recently set my WhatsApp photo to text saying “read bio”, set my WhatsApp status to say I’ve deleted the app, why I’ve deleted it, and that people can contact me on Signal. I also posted a WhatsApp story saying I’d left. I’ve had 3 people join as a result.
If you have social influence in your friendship groups, creating a Signal group for a regular catch-up or a group with a shared interest or a friendship/family group worked well for me too.
@paezha @sylv_a @BradRubenstein block people on WhatsApp if they have an account on signal. ;) it worked very well.