That's a choice I made long ago with Facebook and I've never regretted it. One thing I've noticed is that most people readily refuse to use free/open/privacy-respecting tools simply because they're used to a proprietary equivalent. You propose an alternative tool or platform that you use, and you're met with a big flat no, no argument. Why should we be any less steadfast with our decision not to use what they want?

I'm not on proprietary social media. I don't use SMS. People still call me and send me e-mails when they want to get in touch. If Facebook were all it took to drive us apart, I'd be more concerned with the quality of our underlying relationships than with the lack of photos.

P.S. Not saying everyone should do as I do, but you do have that choice. It might even make others think twice when they see how much it matters to you.

Quoting: Salvatos

Spoiler, click me

That's a choice I made long ago with Facebook and I've never regretted it. One thing I've noticed is that most people readily refuse to use free/open/privacy-respecting tools simply because they're used to a proprietary equivalent. You propose an alternative tool or platform that you use, and you're met with a big flat no, no argument. Why should we be any less steadfast with our decision not to use what they want?

I'm not on proprietary social media. I don't use SMS. People still call me and send me e-mails when they want to get in touch. If Facebook were all it took to drive us apart, I'd be more concerned with the quality of our underlying relationships than with the lack of photos.

P.S. Not saying everyone should do as I do, but you do have that choice. It might even make others think twice when they see how much it matters to you.

I dont das you are wrong, but what keeps WhatsApp so popular is its userbase. Everyone i know uses WhatsApp for private mobile messeges. Fact is that there are only a handful of people aroun me who even know of alternatives and i can surely not insist on my relatives, older or non-technical friends who can barely use the core functions of their phones or computers to fiddle with new messeging apps that they can only use to chat with one or two people, when all the others are using WhatsApp.

Quoting: skyrrdi can surely not insist on my relatives, older or non-technical friends who can barely use the core functions of their phones or computers to fiddle with new messeging apps that they can only use to chat with one or two people, when all the others are using WhatsApp.

I agree. I don't insist on anyone using anything either. If they ask me to e.g. join Facebook, I refuse, point out alternatives I do use or am willing to use, and that's it. They can choose to use something else or not, and so can I. I have yet to meet anyone who can't use a phone if all else fails.

It's a tough stand to make, but it's also those companies' greatest strength, so it's the most effective way to stand up to them.