I do use Signal. But unfortunately I lack convincing power to make everyone else use Signal.

But this is not about alternatives to WhatsApp, imo it's weird that this even happens/is possible.

What do you expect from Facebook? They make their money with advertising, of course they will exploit and capitalize everything that gets send through their channels.

I expect that they don't lie on their public website. This is what WhatsApp says on their own website https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/answer... :

  Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can read your messages or hear your calls with your friends, family, and co-workers on WhatsApp. Whatever you share, it stays between you. That’s because your personal messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. We will never weaken this security and we clearly label each chat so you know our commitment.

Well they also promised to never exchange data between WhatsApp and Facebook when they bought WhatsApp. You simply can't believe any promise Facebook (or any FAANG company for that matter) makes regarding privacy or how they protect your personal data.

> it's weird that this even happens/is possible.

It’s not. This will happen with any chat app that is locked to a single service. Stop using those.

It's weird if even WhatsApp says it's not possible (see my other comment).