How are you friend ?
I am thinking of you, it’s true !
So many of us are making big changes right now one of those changes is switching from our current social media channels - or in the least becoming aware of why we might do so - whether it be from What’s app, Messenger or Instagram to something new.
Before I get straight into it, know that my intention is to share my own process of inquiry and encourage you to do the same. Especially if we are communicating within the same communities. Okay let’s dive in.
Here goes
Facebook (who owns WhatsApp and Instagram) put out some pretty alarming privacy policies recently and by continuing to use their services as they currently stipulate, we agree to basically being spied upon.
On January 14.2021 - 25 million users joined Telegram alone (a similarly toned message service to Whats app) in direct response to the Facebook privacy agreements.
I know it’s tricky to extricate oneself from these well known ‘community’ spaces but maybe we the reader, can open dialogue to look at alternate communication pathways and find each other in newer ‘safer’ and more respectful conversation hubs.
I’ve been using the messaging services Threema, Signal and Telegram recently and I must say I’ve been so excited seeing many of your names pop up as users of these privacy respecting spaces.
Naturally I have the upmost respect for your attention and I want you to know that I am familiarising myself with these apps to slowly transition myself where possible from WhatsApp and potentially all Facebook associated applications due to the extreme breaches in privacy per their latest policy updates - including Instagram.
Gulp - I love using these apps, the connection, creativity and inspiring content drips through so freely; but at what cost ?
There is nothing free about our participation. No matter what the media says, data collection is built into the background of these apps and it’s our attention, our thinking, our responses, that are being bartered for the big bucks from the big faceless places that I’m not entirely sure have our best interests at heart !
It may seem like no big deal right now, however think about free thinking ?
This is not a matter of receiving advertisements and recommendation, which I personally find to be convenient sometimes - this is an issue of ‘thinking’ we are exposed to the whole story of any given theme, when actually we are not. Censorship is rife. The mind is powerful and easily swayed with the repetition of information that we may not even be aware that we intake, thus effecting the way we feel about our worlds and the choices we daily make.
We need to care for our minds.
I can say a lot about the mind, from the perspective of Yoga in particular and have done so a little here. However this article is a more practical offering to signpost alternatives to the Social media platforms we rely upon to keep us connected & engaged.
What alternate Social Media apps I am using
You can find me on Threema, Signal and Telegram.
Signal is known for its open source security, but it’s free and the money always comes from somewhere. https://apps.apple.com/au/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669
Threema I find awesome - it’s a Swiss company - although lesser known, it’s not free (about ch3 one time) but is a solid choice for Swiss guarded privacy. https://apps.apple.com/au/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578
Telegram is the other and I find this one has the most similar interface to Whats App yet with many other benefits, especially for groups. It’s free and according to Telegram CEO, a paid upgrade is in development to maintain the ethos of the app which is to “respect it’s users”. https://apps.apple.com/au/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807
Anyone else using these platforms ?
Check them out. Due diligence.
Here is a reliable information source for app pro's and cons - https://restoreprivacy.com/secure-encrypted-messaging-apps/
By making a small step, we get to contribute to the wave rising for the implementation of better technologies that support privacy, free speech and thinking.
Conclusion and what I do
In concluding this article/offering - I am sharing with a possible slant on my preferences and not recommending, I’ve no interest in arguing or defending my stance. You get to choose what you do and don’t do and that’s the point. There is Plenty of data available to do your own research. I do not benefit in any way for sharing this information, other than staying connected with you via alternate communication tools.
This is a personal process for me; Social media has been a mainstay in both helping me stay in touch with beloveds all around our beautiful Earth And is a part of my business sharing.
Take a look at the funny (and sobering) satire given by Yogi comedian JP Sears here to see the vid that made me really think twice and make some changes.
Who reads those privacy policy updates anyway ?
I am currently managing my Social Media in the following ways
The Facebook (& all affiliates) situation is tricky as most of us use them in daily life. For the moment, I have deleted Facebook, Pages, Messenger and Instagram from my mobile phone & stay signed out when not directly engaging in their use.
When I need to use them, I do so by switching to a different device and logging into the platform to engage. After which time I log out again.
Transitioning from WhatsApp is a little slower as this has become the main messaging platform for many of us over the years.
As already mentioned, I am using Threema, Signal and Telegram which are great fun - maybe give them a try & come say hi and let me know your thoughts on the topic once you do !
It’s expected that anything new will take some time getting used too. So make it an experiment, remember how cool social media used to be ? Get familiar with the mute buttons too ;) and continue on your journey of using Social Media for good and not having Social media use you.
With respect,
Amber
Update: Since publishing this blog post; I noticed that Whatsapp’s newest update has the tone of directly responding to community concerns of inappropriate data handling. Perhaps the aforementioned tech giant’s will reform and until such time, let’s continue to vote with our feet; moving towards better technologies that stand for freedom and privacy.
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