Except you actually are getting excluded in a lot of conversations after uninstalling, thus it's not just a fear...

So it's not FOMO, it's just plain MO.

Yes, I continue to use WhatsApp because I have fear of missing out.

Missing out on conversations from my extended family, friends (only about 1/4 use Signal and all groups are on WhatsApp), work (the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp), voluntary undertakings (all of which are organised on WhatsApp), organising stuff for the kids (again all on WhatsApp).

So it's a valid fear based on the reality in my social circle and country. Unilaterally moving to Signal means self-imposed isolation.

> the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp

This part is terrifying: does Ireland not have the equivalent of HSR (UK, in combination with a patchwork of other legislation) or HIPAA?

Ireland is subject to the GDPR and various Data Protection Acts, but WhatsApp is an officially sanctioned communications medium. It's not used for patient communication or sending clinical data.

I think you might also be surprised by the level of WhatsApp use in the NHS. It's far more common in actual use than Pando or Teams.

Interested in a bit more context re Ireland Health Service - how does this work with older people / those in remote areas?

It's not generally used for patient communications or transmitting clinical data, but all organisation of shifts, clinical updates, etc is through WhatsApp. It's an official communication medium: https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/procedures-guidelines/dig...

In 2021, when nearly the entire HSE IT system went down due to a cyberattack (including HSE email), literally the entire service ran on WhatsApp and taxis filled with paper records driving around.

> the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp

What do you mean? I live in Ireland and no health professional has ever contacted me via WhatsApp.

It's not public-facing. WhatsApp is the primary means of communication for HSE staff (and most of the public service).

Okay, fair enough. But presumably the WhatsApp groups are set up on an ad hoc basis by groups of staff - they're not being directed to use it by the HSE?

No, it's an official HSE communications channel. It was already prevalent before the cyberattack, but at that point, nearly all non-clinical comms moved to WhatsApp.

You just get added to the relevant groups by your manager (obviously there's also unofficial social groups) and that's where you'll get 90%+ of rosters, clinical updates, service bulletins, etc.

Complain, that is not acceptable. Forcing people to be a member of a corporation is not on

How often would it have mattered if you missed out on those conversations, say as a percentage?

FOMO can be rational or irrational. In this case it is very much rational.