Friends and family won't switch to private messaging apps or phones. Is there a point in avoiding Google Messages app? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 weeks ago by yourFanatic@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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They all have iPhones and Google Android. Since all my calls and text messages are monitored on their phones, am I causing any additional harm to myself by using Google Messages on GrapheneOS? That way I could at least use RCS messaging.

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[-] InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works 13 points 4 weeks ago

IMHO it's not just about the messages but whatever else the app might have access to just by being installed on your phone.

[-] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 9 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

And being a Google app, which means it can access everything.

I'd sooner use a regular SMS app, and not reward their behaviour. Which is what I do. You want to use garbage like SMS or RCS? Then you suffer the issues that come with SMS.

[-] TGhost@lemm.ee 5 points 4 weeks ago

GrapheneOS+shelter app should do the work. At least on WhatsApp and co.

[-] yourFanatic@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

Thanks I'll look into it

[-] TGhost@lemm.ee 3 points 3 weeks ago

https://f-droid.org/packages/net.typeblog.shelter/

And with GOS, don't hesitate to explore settings for each apps, even in the work profile

Good luck to you, and have fun

this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2024

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