About to start using #WhatsApp. Anything I should be aware of? Pro? Con? Any security issues? Best sign up practices?

Any and all advice appreciated. 🙏

@davemark Are you using on Desktop or mobile? If on Desktop, there are two versions of the app and it always confuses me as to which one is which 🙂

I've been using WhatsApp on desktop for years now since some countries where we lived (like the UAE) use it a lot for businesses and customer support. No issues so far.

@f thinking I’ll sign up on my phone, since that’s where I’d use it the most. But I definitely want notifications to show up on my desktop as well.

@davemark Yep, it's easier starting on the phone since then you can connect your desktop using the mobile app. Just scan the QR code that it shows on the desktop app (when you install it later) and it connects the two 🙂

I hardly ever use my mobile and so I think I turned off notifications on mobile.

@davemark Has WhatsApp included other messenger apps now? That was talked about, and the only reason I'm not using it as I'd have to get my contacts to sign up which ain't gonna happen.

@NeadReport good question, not sure. I’m part of a large group that has settled on WhatsApp for our communications, so this is me just getting started. I think it was just looking for any red flags that I should be concerned about. Haven’t heard any yet.

@davemark Does it want access to all your contacts? I have a subset that use WhatsApp but no where near a majority. Can you specify a list?

@brentharrell Yes and yes. At least with my limited experience.

@davemark Mya I ask what were your setup steps?

@brentharrell Downloaded the app from the App Store on my iPhone. Followed the very straightforward on boarding steps. I did give WhatsApp access to my contacts. Some people don’t do that. Personally, I think it’s good to do it with someone who also has WhatsApp that you know so they can help you by sending you a message and responding to your first messages. That’s what I did.

@davemark Absolutely not recommend it. Meta literally provided Israel with whatsapp meta data so they can bomb anyone in the same chatroom.

That's the biggest security and privacy problem right there, even if you don't care about justice and morality.

@davemark No iPad app!! 🙄 And no, the iPhone app in 2x mode won't run. 😞🙄

@davemark the full contact list is the magic. Black magic, if you like.

My wife syncs her contacts (I believe the only option is ALL or NOTHING). She has all the functionality.

I did not enable contact sharing, and I only see the individuals I expressly communicate with. No automatic finding of friends, no online status information, etc.

@TecherKramer Yup. That’s my take too.