Why It's Time to Stop Using WhatsApp: Here Are 5 Compelling Arguments

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps with around 3 billion users worldwide, and whilst it is secure, there are many reasons to avoid it.

WhatsApp has become the go-to messaging app thanks to its ease of use, being able to work with both WiFi or mobile data, its video and voice calls, among other popular features. Since Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014, they have sought to improve it with regular updates, recently focusing on security. 

Despite this, there are still several reasons why you would want to steer clear and avoid using it altogether. In no particular order, this is why you should consider looking into using an alternative messaging app:

Data Sharing with the Parent Company

As previously mentioned, WhatsApp is owned by Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. Meta is very data orientated, as these apps can't work without them. WhatsApp shares some user data with Meta, which is in part used for targeted ads among other purposes.

Security and Privacy

Another major concern with WhatsApp is related to the first: user security and privacy. Even though WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption with its messages, ensuring that no one, not even Meta, can access the content of your conversations, it still collects metadata. This is the information about when and with whom you communicate. Meta can then use this metadata for ad targeting on Meta's other platforms. 

GDPR Issues

All companies that work within the EU need to comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Historically, Meta has struggled with this, and WhatsApp has previously faced criticism for inadequate GDPR compliance. For example, in 2021, Meta was fined €221 million for violating these regulations. This reflects poorly on its commitment to user privacy. 

Controversial Terms of Use Change

Again in 2021, WhatsApp introduced controversial changes to its terms of use, requiring users to share more private data with Meta. This led to widespread dissatisfaction and a significant number of users deciding to leave the platform. Many users have since struggled to regain their trust in WhatsApp.

Inferior Features Compared to Competitors

Popularity doesn't necessarily equate to superiority. Despite being widely used, WhatsApp often lags behind in features compared to its competitors. For instance, Telegram offers larger group chats and greater customization options, making it a more attractive option for many users. Another competitor, Discord is a fully developed community platform, allowing you to create servers, which are large groups with multiple channels to talk in.