Privacy @lemmy.ml yourFanatic @sh.itjust.works 10h ago

Friends and family won't switch to private messaging apps or phones. Is there a point in avoiding Google Messages app?

They all have iPhones and Google Android. Since all my calls and text messages are monitored on their phones, am I causing any additional harm to myself by using Google Messages on GrapheneOS? That way I could at least use RCS messaging.

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Doesn't Google Messages require access to your contacts to even run? My experience was that it didn't even ask permission; it just gave itself permission when I first launched it.
Google RCS, which is effectively just another proprietary internet messaging app despite being based on a standard at least claims to use end-to-end encryption, and is probably more resistant to mass surveillance than SMS. If those are your options, Google RCS is an upgrade.
You can lead a horse to water, you cannot make it drink.

With my people from we use Signal.

Friends and family stick to text as it too hard to make everyone else change.

Because their friends use text… why change…

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
As long as you keep it's permissions locked down, it's better because at least with GMessages you get encryption on some charts whereas SMS is just pure text being sent through your cell provider.
Don't cut off contacts unless absolutely necessary.

I did it for years, and now I’m living again; I have access to events too, simply because I’m now on WhatsApp and Discord. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is. But you can control what you decide to say, and make a physical appointment and then share IRL.

If you choose to boycott, the big risk is standing alone and just arming yourself, as you mentioned.

I think you already know the answer.

Joining a militant network is another way to find people who share your concerns, but you will have to search for them, and that can require a significant effort. But you will have new friends, and make your socials, bigger. Thats a good thing.

You will have many networks, separated.

I don’t know what else to say.
IMHO it's not just about the messages but whatever else the app might have access to just by being installed on your phone.
- And being a Google app, which means it can access everything.
  
  I'd sooner use a regular SMS app, and not reward their behaviour. Which is what I do. You want to use garbage like SMS or RCS? Then you suffer the issues that come with SMS.
- GrapheneOS+shelter app should do the work. At least on WhatsApp and co.
  
  Thanks I'll look into it
Beeper can bridge those into a matrix chat. Then at least you can chat with people who or on a privacy related one as well as the heathens in Facebook messenger

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