Whatsapp or not...?
 

Please refrain from comments like "whatsapp is so bad, i would never even consider using it", or recommending alternatives that are not compatible with it.
the problem is that everyone uses it, and that is the sole reason i'm interested in it.

recent/constant development requires a re-evaluation of whatsapp and its (un)security.

I see people using it everywhere, not only for text but for photos, short audio recordings (almost like a phone) etc.
it's one of the first question new aquaintances (IRL) ask, when it comes to exchanging contact data.
It would be really useful for me to be able to use it.

I keep telling friends & colleagues that to me, whatsapp is the devil incarnate, and i will never-ever-use-it. because. it is totally insecure, etc. etc.
Just recently I'm not so sure anymore.

I mean, I do use facebook from time to time - provided one uses a secondary mail address, and doesn't post all their private information, it isn't too bad for me. i guess. a little ip-based geolocation (i usually don't use gps on my devices), useragent info, and the usual dangers of allowing javascript.

same goes for google services.

So my question is:
Is here any way to start using whatsapp without revealing all my contacts to them (and, potentially, a billion users worldwide)?
once i have a whatsapp account, i can happily use the web interface, but it seems to require installing the mobile app first... any way around that?
any compatible alternatives?

I'd like to know what's so awful about whatsapp. I see (IRL) in your post. I'm in Ireland too. I have a son writing Apple IOS software and he uses Whatsapp. It has encryption now. If you delete the app & reinstall it, it has to (IIRC) ask permission to get your contacts; You can refuse it.

Frankly, if you're not plotting to blow us all up, or take over the world, why worry? If you have a smartphone, you're knowable, trackable, hackable etc if they want you enough. If you want a life with friends in it, you need (hackable) technology.

Is your source for "whatsapp is insecure", by any chance, a single completely-discredited Guardian article?

I assumed he meant "In Real Life". As in "face to face".

It's not that it's insecure, it's that it's owned by FaceBook.

And various governments (including my own) are insisting they need backdoors into the encryption.

I didn't think "social media" users had a real life ... :scratch:

I am not too sure on the technicalities of how secure Whatsapp (the application) really is however I've never actually met or heard about anyone getting their private information hacked via the said application. I am sure its a valid concern at your end and there could be potential threats out there but I am quite certain that by default the conversations you have with your contacts are encrypted.

Now if your hesitation is due to the company being owned by Facebook then I believe you have two simple options here, take a leap of faith and start using the application or resort to the safety approach and stay clear from the latter - That's all the relevant advice I can give you here (Sorry I am not that smart with all this tech stuff)

Finally i just want to know, you said that you occasionally use Facebook right ? So can I know why do you have so much hesitation in using Whatsapp??

If you really want to ditch whatsapp, Convert your family, friends, contacts, acquaintances etc to theema, which is another secure messaging app.

Security does not imply trustworthiness. Regarding this particular topic:

As far as I'm concerned, the implications of said ownership are quite straighforward...

Well?

Why would one choose WhatsApp over FB messenger, since they are owned by the same company?