162

A question about secure chats (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 10 months ago by Thisfox@sopuli.xyz to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Two questions.

My family insist on using Whatsapp for the family chats. I have to keep a copy on a device just so I can communicate with them. I do so under protest, as I was always told it isn't secure. My brother has just said

"oh Whatsapp is encrypted, it's perfectly secure".

First, is it actually as encrypted and safe as my brother claims? That would solve everything.

Second, if it isn't, where can I get some proof that we should switch to Telegram or whatever? Proof which doesn't make me look like a raving loony?

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[-] ris@feddit.de 1 points 7 months ago

WhatsApp gives you the option to back up all messages to Google or Apple Cloud unencrypted.

[-] infreq@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

They will not switch anyway...

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[-] belkka@iusearchlinux.fyi 1 points 10 months ago

Note, Telegram Isn't As Private As You Think

[-] LoveSausage@lemmygrad.ml 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

My way around the issue with the app and its collection is :

Install in a separate profile with empty everything. (So they get an empty contact list)
Install beeper in a different profil and connect WhatsApp to beeper.
Remove all permissions from WhatsApp. There if I need to reconnect sometime.

Oh and using fake number is also a good idea. And yes not as good as selfhosting I know. Signal is an option if you can get them to switch. Telegram is crap.

[-] noodlejetski@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago

so now Beeper has got all of your Whatsapp messages going through their servers, unencrypted.

[-] LoveSausage@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

https://www.beeper.com/faq#how-does-beeper-connect-to-encrypted-chat-networks-like-imessage-signal-whatsapp

So yea a bit of trust put in beeper. Matrix bridge and self host is as I said better.

This is easy. For services that's not so good to start with , like SMS , WhatsApp etc.

For sensitive stuff i use signal with a fake number. Or other channels.

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this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023

162 points (96.6% liked)

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