They make FOSS clients for many prop things, why can I find nothing on WA?
Maybe send an email to the mossad and ask them?
WhatsApp requires that you have a mobile device (Android or iOS) connect through the official client at least once every two weeks. They also monitor for “suspicious” API usage, and will ban accounts for using their service wrong (though it is very uncommon and often temporary).
The only mostly FOSS third party solution I am aware of is the mautrix-whatsapp bridge. The developer of that bridge also created Whatsmeow, a WhatsApp Golang library.
mautrix-whatsapp requires a mobile device to connect using the official WhatsApp app. It pretends to be a WhatsApp Web client, and allows you to send and recieve WhatsApp messages on Matrix. The bridge (effectively) requires hosting your own Matrix homeserver, so it’s not a simple solution.
Through my entire stint having to use it in Europe, the closest I could find was a webview for the web client: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.kuenzler.whatsappwebtogo/
Sadly, they enforce use of the official client to create an account and resync whenever the web client session expires. Even once got locked out for using the official client downloaded from Aurora Store, apparently I ought to have to downloaded the APK directly from their website, if not from the play store.
Edit: I also think potential legal pressure also contributes to a FOSS client not existing. Last time someone tried making a feature-complete FOSS Instagram client, they stopped after a cease and desist from Meta.
Obligatory, I would have loved to go without anything Meta in the first place, but if you’ve spent any time around non-techy colleagues in Europe, you’ll know how much of an uphill battle it is.
Last time someone tried making a feature-complete FOSS Instagram client, they stopped after a cease and desist from Meta.
Meta (Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram…) is the worst of the worst offenders for private instant messaging and humanity would be a little less miserable without it. I miss my pidgin days when one could use messenger, gtalk, jabber and whatnot and nobody gave a shit because “features” and so-called “privacy” wasn’t an excuse to rob your, ahem, privacy.
Sorry for the rant
You could put another book’s cover on mein kampf, it would still be mein kampf
Maybe read a different ‘book’?
Not a helpful comment.
As somone who has slowly moved away from big tech, one of my steps was to use unofficial clients (open source) and web wrappers. For others it’s impossible to move fully off a platform for reasons like work, school and family. Ulimatums for these don’t work for everyones situation.
Many people use open YT apps or proxies. Versions exist for Twitch. There are ways to access Spotify. Nitter is back (for now). Their used to be some FB wrappers (I think they exist but are pretty bugged at this stage). Why would OP expect any less of WhatsApp.
And to answer OP. The best I’ve heard is use a PC with a burner number and a web wrapper on mobile. It requires some sort of regular login on the PC.
Far from impossible, I’m doing it. Living in the UK, everyone uses WhatsApp, but lots of people are also on Signal. When they hear that I won’t use Meta products, everyone always says: “I understand, good for you” and about 20% of them will either find me on Signal or install it it find me there. The other 80% talk to me via text or email. It’s inconvenient, but still quite doable.
Defeatism is how you cede ground to the bad guys.
I’m in the same boat now but I also transitioned off slowly. I was saying that it’s not always possible for everyone in every situation.
One that comes to mind is being told to use it for work and posting in your lunch break to see what the options exist before immediately quitting on the spot.
FOSS options do exist for many services, and that’s all OP was looking for. I don’t see the point in telling them to never seek out the unofficial version of a service.
“impossible” mkay
Beeper works for me. Have Signal and Instagram DMs in it as well, all in one place
Not FOSS
Having my messeges go through a third party does not seem like the best idea for me but thanks to your post I am finally about to get into matrix chat and set up my own bridges on my home server.
I can’t force people off these platforms but at least I can get these apps off my phone.
