this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2023
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No one I know uses Signal or is skilled enough to switch away from Whatsapp. 100% have WhatsApp.
Trying to switch, would be like talking people into using Linux. Not going to happen unless the current option got much worse.
Wat? If they managed to register with WhatsApp, they can do so with literally any other messaging service.
Yeah that's a big problem that I'm trying to research solutions for myself too. It was way better when I could tell people to just install Signal and it'd replace their SMS app but be secure when others use it, but unfortunately Signal dropped SMS. Currently I just have all the apps, but since Signal does contact discovery (like Whatsapp) I follow a Signal, Whatsapp, FB Messenger, RCS (via Google Messenger), then SMS pattern and stopping when I can contact someone. Obviously, this has the issue that all these apps are getting far more data than they need and I'd like to look into a multiplatform app that does e2e. From what I've researched so far, Matrix bridges (servers that connect your Matrix account to a third party messaging service) might be the answer.
I haven't tried it yet but there is a Matrix bridge that you can host if you are selfhosting a Matrix server (or use a commercial Matrix provider that already hosts it) that will allow you to connect to your Whatsapp friends without needing the Whatsapp app yourself that could be interesting for at least that use case https://docs.mau.fi/bridges/go/setup.html?bridge=whatsapp .
Using Signal is incredibly easy. Unless your friends are too incompetent to even install an app, they can be set up in a couple of minutes.
Notice I said using and not switching, because there's no need to pick just one.
They are incompetent enough. They also see no reason to switch. They will tell you that other apps will also use your data and that Whatsapp is working fine for what they do with it. Doesn't matter if it's true.
Some even use the status to share stuff like Instagram and are addicted to it.
They'll tell you that there's no point in installing two apps. I've had that topic often enough.
You originally said nobody was skilled enough. It seems what you really meant is nobody cares enough.
Unfortunately, that's the actual reason in my experience. I got most friends and family to run Signal next to WhatsApp though.
You underestimate how tech-dumb the majority of people are
A few years ago I thought so as well, but today, everyone of my friends and family is on Signal. Also, it's not complicated to use, it's basically the exact same user experience as on WhatsApp or Telegram. If normies can figure out WhatsApp, they can figure out Signal.