That’s great because with the platform being open you’ll be able to sideload it like any other app :)

If they do this, maybe not use Wa at all?

I'm not aware of any other alternative client available other than the default Meta one.

I mean, just don't use it. Also there are matrix/element, signal, telegram(a bit worse for security), or you can use Beeper if WA is so mega important

I personally don’t use WhatsApp because I enjoy it, it’s just the app with the critical mass in my family and friend group.

I've used messenger in the past, after that i've just convinced family/friends to install telegram and chat there. Now I'm thinking abt moving to Signal, so imo, it's not that a big deal, users can migrate/install alternatives. If ppl care, they'll install an app to communicate with you, if they don't, well...

Were you also able to convince your employer, repairmen, local communities to leave WhatsApp? I am among the least connected people among various circles I am in, yet I'm not able to leave WhatsApp.

You're aware that not every country is your country, right? In some places WhatsApps is culturally relevant and is used by government, business, etc.

Couldn't one just argue the same about Apple? I mean, if you don't like their lock-in, then just don't use it.

I don't want to use WhatsApp, but it's a quasi monopoly in messaging in many countries and thei're not opening up their APIs for others. We should force them too, shouldn't we?

Just another reason why messaging should be an open standard and not proprietary.

I'm okay with the government forcing WhatsApp (and Apple too for that matter) to adopt the messaging standard.

Did not happen on Android at least in the western hemisphere.

Yep, just like they do on android. Oh... Wait a second, they don't do that.

> Wait a second, they don't do that.

Do they need to do that, in the first place? And, is there a guarantee that they won't?

All I know is that they didn't do it.

Ummm... have you ever used Android? :-)

Then don't use Whatsapp if that's the case? I notice so many people complaining about so many things but they refuse to boycott them.

If >x% of the population actually take action on any issue, it'll get solved.

If you live in Costa Rica, then you have no choice but to use WhatsApp. I suppose technically could you could choose to be entirely unable to communicate and to be left out of the economy, but that's not much of a choice.

That is still a choice, though, even if it's a sucky one. Sounds like people are forced to choose WA in lieu of starving because they have no/less income.

Boycotting requires a sacrifice and of course I understand that for some the sacrifice is too great; I wouldn't blame them at all.

But my point was more, in the West people make so much noise about stuff and yet do nothing. And we are all generally quite privileged compared to some other parts of the world.