I prefer signals but use WhatsApp for this easy reason

When WhatsApp changed its terms in 2021, I was one of the many users who searched for alternative messaging apps for Android. When I had heard about the signal earlier, WhatsApp’s controversial move indicated me to test the app. At that time I loved him and I still like it.

But in all these years, I barely use a signal even though I prefer it more than the WhatsApp. And the reason is that the WhatsApp is on the privacy -based messaging app.

You don’t have to be a person who lives off grid in the jungle to compliment Hint. The messaging app balances the excellent privacy features with a sleek UI and many useful features. This includes encryption from the end for your messages and calls. Even your profile is from the end to the end and the data collection is minimal.

If you have tried other privacy services, you will know that when the features are talked about, it is usually traded. But the signal has an excellent feature set, with some tools out of the WhatsApp. In fact, the signal allows you to schedule messages – a feature that WhatsApp does not currently present.

The signal also allows you to add contacts using the username, with the option not to share your number automatically when you are added. There is also the ability to configure chat colors and wallpapers, meaning you can customize the appearance of the app.

Accessories, such as video and sound calls, are well covered, and the app can be used on the desktop. Even the signal also features stories, even though I never touch it. Overall, the signal is a feature -rich messaging app in addition to its privacy features. As a result, I prefer the experience more than the WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has added many features in the past years – but I don’t use many of them. When I was easy, I remember the WhatsApp of the Assessor. Status, communities and channels all feel like they only increase flowers and noise when using WhatsApp.

I have also tried my best to ignore Meta AI, as I am not bothered by Generative AI on my smartphone, but the WhatsApp only keeps making it more prominent. Above the new chat icon, now the Meta AI button. Meanwhile, the search bar you use to filter through your chats is now filled with indicators for the chatboat. You can silence MetaA, but you can’t really remove it from the WhatsApp.

WhatsApp also has a spam and scam issue. Although it is not as bad as you can find on social media platforms, I still receive a lot of unrelated messages from business and scammers.

Finally, the plan to add ads to the WhatsApp app has just intensified my experience. Although I refrain from the most updates’ tabs, and may not probably see any of these ads, it highlights the commitment to earn maximum amount of meta apps. It also encourages collecting and sharing data. Messages on the platform are from the end to the end, but there are many things that companies can fix with metadata.

There is no guarantee that meta ads will not put in other parts of the app, as being a lucrative company has never stopped further ads on its apps before.

My anxiety for WhatsApp is clear, so why should I use it when I don’t like experience? It boils on a simple consideration – most of my contacts use WhatsApp. In fact, I was surprised when I found out that the WhatsApp was not as popular as it was in other countries.

Most of my chats are home with WhatsApp contacts and all my groups. That is, PR companies often reach me. There is also how I reach certain businesses, such as when I repeat my cat’s medicines to my doctor. It is really rare to find someone who does not use the WhatsApp here.

Although the signal also contains group chats, the lack of contacts it uses means that this is not a viable option for my community groups, including safety information and event reports. I don’t even have as many contacts that use a signal to make a comfortable group chat, because none of them know each other.

It is also a harsh sale to say to turn someone into a signal, because when they move forward, they will face the same problem. I am a tech journalist, so I should have more contact with the discussion that uses niche, security -based apps. But I have 20 total contacts on the signal, unlike 200+ on the WhatsApp.

That is why my partner can’t leave the WhatsApp despite the ads. But the biggest problem in messaging apps is that they need to use them from other people, according to appreciation. The messaging app we use depends on that everyone around us uses, so it is essentially selected by others for us.

But this will not give me hope that the signal emerges as a viable alternative to the WhatsApp. The app has excellent features without meta -owned products. WhatsApp has been ordered by the European Union to allow mutual cooperation with other encrypted messaging apps and progress is being made for this purpose. It is hoped that more countries will increase the pressure to increase this feature to other areas.

However, we deserve what messaging app we use, as it plays such a significant role in our daily life.