The desire to live without WhatsApp is not a decision against the simple functions of WhatsApp, which other messengers also offer, but a decision against Meta. Because Meta is a perfidious data octopus, well-known and freely available messengers such as Signal or Threema are better in every respect.
Introduction
Meta tramples our rights with its feet. Meta does not comply with laws. Meta exploits our behavior for the benefit of Meta and others, and to our detriment. That's how much we're motivated to leave WhatsApp.
Meta is and remains a company that wants to make as much money as possible with as many of your data as possible. To do this, Meta wants to help others get to know you as well as possible and to influence you.
For Meta, legal regulations are there to be ignored until a serious consequence is imminent.
For example, in the form of a ban or a fine.
They are supposed to buy certain products that they actually don't need or can't afford. They are supposed to send your contacts' data to Meta, even though their contacts haven't agreed.
They should choose the party that "best" advertises on Facebook, Instagram or anywhere else online where Meta interferes.
They should find the opinion good that is tailored to the target group, which can be attributed to them according to Meta.
The solution is simple and was carried out by myself (yes, I'm ashamed for having been on WhatsApp at all):
- Delete WhatsApp account, uninstall WhatsApp: This post
- Terminate Facebook membership: Already completed some time ago
- Do not use Instagram: What for? More time for better activities
- Encourage others to do the same: this is especially true for WhatsApp, as many people use it to communicate directly
Instead of WhatsApp, I recommend Signal or Threema. Actually it's irrelevant. Because no other messaging provider can and wants to misuse as many data from you and other users like the Meta conglomerate does.
That's why meta is evil (excerpt): Meta influenced the 1st election of Donald Trump (Cambridge Analytica data scandal). Meta spies on users' connection data (EU fine followed). Meta cracks encrypted connections of competitors (Snapchat) to steal user data. Meta offers "partners" access to Facebook user data (Microsoft was able to see all friend lists without user consent).
Source on Cambridge Analytica (and documentary on Netflix), Source on the fine, Source on Snapchat, Source on Microsoft.
Why should Signal be petty when WhatsApp and Meta collect much more data, "share" it with "partners" and crack encryption? This pettiness is inconsistent, inappropriate and strategically misguided for all WhatsApp users. The strategy must be to deprive Meta of as many users and therefore as much data as possible.
First, there are arguments against WhatsApp. Then I list naive arguments from WhatsApp advocates. Finally, I give recommendations on how to quit WhatsApp in practice.
Argumente gegen WhatsApp
The problem is not WhatsApp, but Meta (formerly Facebook). Meta is one of the biggest data octopuses on this planet and probably also on other planets as soon as they are colonized or serve as data points.
Meta operates the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms, among others. Thank you for that. However, this is done in a way that is often illegal. Meta uses the data of users like you and me to create extensive behavioral profiles of us.
Are you allowed to use WhatsApp for professional communication? No.
See for example information from the data protection authority of Lower Saxony or analogous statement from Bavaria (BayLDA).
With behavioral profiles, people can be better assessed and thus also manipulated. This manipulation often takes place through advertising, but also through supposedly factual reporting.
Meta helps others so that you can buy products that you would actually never buy yourself.
Meta also influences elections. As a keyword, Cambridge Analytica should be mentioned here. In this data scandal from the USA, Donald Trump's election was significantly influenced by identifying undecided non-voters as such and then bombarding them with advertising messages. Meta and Google were involved together and provided user data from their platforms to Donald Trump's marketing team. According to my information, a million dollars a day were invested to influence you as an undecided voter so that you would vote for the right (i.e., from the perspective of Meta and Google) candidate. For more information, see the Netflix documentary with the title Cambridge Analytica.
Advertisers on Facebook can display ads to users who fit into their target group. A target group could be: Female, likes to travel, between 30 and 40 years old, has a cat, etc. Facebook determines this target group for the advertiser.
If you disguise your advertising on Facebook and design it as a report, you can influence users' opinions and thus their behavior in a targeted manner.
Everyone can be influenced. I would describe anyone who believes otherwise as stupid and pathetic.
If you disagree, please read elsewhere on the Internet. I don't need such readers. You will also be refunded the money you paid for this article.
Even the German federal government used Facebook for advertising campaigns. Those who prefer listening over reading can find some information about that in my Datenschutz-Deluxe Podcast.
My name is Klaus Meffert. I have a doctorate in computer science and have been working professionally and practically with information technology for over 30 years. I also work as an expert in IT & data protection. I achieve my results by looking at technology and law. This seems absolutely essential to me when it comes to digital data protection. My company, IT Logic GmbH, also offers consulting and development of optimized and secure AI solutions.
