I haven't logged into Facebook in months and when I do I post a sentence and log back in months later haha. I don't use Instagram. I don't Use Whatsapp.
I've been looking into telegram alternatives for a while. The best one I've found is the Matrix protocol (https://matrix.org), which is sort of like a cross between telegram and slack but it's open-source and you can self-host it. There are several app/webapp clients that you can use with your server, like https://riot.im.
It's got end-to-end encryption by default (although you need to manually enable it in some clients like Riot), Riot's mobile app works well, and supports audio and video calling through your server.
Last I checked, you couldn't get notifications on iOS running through your own server - that's sort-of-inherent in how iOS notifications work, of course, but that makes the self-hosting feature unusable for a lot of users.
I get notifications with the Riot iOS app. I did take a little extra time to set up my toy matrix server with LetsEncrypt certificates, not sure if that makes a difference.
I use iMessage primarily, it has end-to-end encryption and your messages are stored in iCloud. It also integrates wonderfully well with your Mac.
I'm still logged into WhatsApp though, to keep in touch with the ones using Android, but I've switched notifications off so I just go into check as if I'm checking my email.
I wanted to check out Telegram as a WhatsApp replacement but very few people seems to be using it.
What about Signal? has e2e encryption, group messaging and is practically completely open source.
I personally really want to quit all the Facebook apps (because of the reasons mentioned), but I just feel that there is too much communication I need in it's messaging apps to leave (family, friends, work chats) that leaving them would be problematic.
What I really want is a messaging app that can still receive and communicate messages from the "bad" apps, but by default uses its better way, so that as people migrate to it, you can communicate with them using the app, but still be able to receive (and send) messages using for example WhatsApp for people that haven't changed apps yet.
Valid points, but the author recommends 500px over instagram. While I'm not interested in fear-mongering, 500px is now owned by a Chinese company. That may give pause to some people looking for a switch.
I respect people who leave Facebook quietly. But the narcissists who announce their imminent departure were a large part of the problem on Facebook, so I celebrate when they leave because it makes Facebook just a little bit better.
None of these lists of Facebook alternatives seem to include practical replacements for it's groups/events features, which are used heavily by most of the people in my network.
What makes it tough for me to leave Facebook is that there are lots of small businesses related to my hobbies who I follow and others I learn of on Facebook. Facebook has replaced the need for a website for a small business because they can get "enough" traction. Besides, I also like the funny cat videos, too! :D
I ran into a similar problem, because Facebook is a great way to find family friendly activities going on in my area, and the marketplace / buy nothing groups are good for me as a parent with young kids.
1) Silently disable my FB account, delete all relevant phone apps
2) Create a new throwaway email address
3) Use that email address to create a new dummy facebook account with none of my actual information or friends on it
4) Delete the email address
I now have an account I can log into for specific purposes (like following businesses), but none of the mindless feed scrolling that came with my old account. In fact, the name is so inappropriate and fake, that I can't be tempted to use it as actual social media anymore because I'd almost certainly get reported.
An alternative to Facebook for maintaining relationships with friends and family is the popular Marco Polo app, at least if your family consists of people you actually want to have a relationship with.
Disclaimer: I'm a researcher for the app, but not a shill.
19 comments
[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 56.4 ms ] threadI use Twitter. I use Telegram.
Threema is what comes closest imo.
It's got end-to-end encryption by default (although you need to manually enable it in some clients like Riot), Riot's mobile app works well, and supports audio and video calling through your server.
https://github.com/TelegramOrg/Telegram-web/blob/master/app/...
I pity the maintainers.
I'm still logged into WhatsApp though, to keep in touch with the ones using Android, but I've switched notifications off so I just go into check as if I'm checking my email.
I wanted to check out Telegram as a WhatsApp replacement but very few people seems to be using it.
I personally really want to quit all the Facebook apps (because of the reasons mentioned), but I just feel that there is too much communication I need in it's messaging apps to leave (family, friends, work chats) that leaving them would be problematic.
What I really want is a messaging app that can still receive and communicate messages from the "bad" apps, but by default uses its better way, so that as people migrate to it, you can communicate with them using the app, but still be able to receive (and send) messages using for example WhatsApp for people that haven't changed apps yet.
1) Silently disable my FB account, delete all relevant phone apps 2) Create a new throwaway email address 3) Use that email address to create a new dummy facebook account with none of my actual information or friends on it 4) Delete the email address
I now have an account I can log into for specific purposes (like following businesses), but none of the mindless feed scrolling that came with my old account. In fact, the name is so inappropriate and fake, that I can't be tempted to use it as actual social media anymore because I'd almost certainly get reported.
Disclaimer: I'm a researcher for the app, but not a shill.