Sustainable Substitutes for WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a widespread messaging app owned by Meta.

whatsapp logo

Reasons to avoid WhatsApp

Avoid WhatsApp due to its invasive data sharing with Meta/Facebook, persistent privacy concerns, and lack of transparency. WhatsApp collects and shares user data, including phone numbers and metadata, with Meta’s ecosystem, enabling targeted advertising and surveillance. The platform’s opaque policies, security flaws, and history of regulatory fines further undermine user trust and privacy.

Sustainable Alternatives

Here are some sustainable alternatives for WhatsApp

Threema

Threema is a Swiss end-to-end encrypted messaging app with a focus on privacy and metadata minimization.

Threema client apps are fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and reproducible builds.
Threema uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Threema is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Threema does not use third-party trackers, ensuring user data is not shared with external parties.
Threema is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strict Swiss privacy laws.
Threema does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Website

Olvid

Olvid is a French secure messaging app with no phone number required and high security.

Olvid client apps are fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and reproducible builds.
Olvid uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Olvid is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Olvid does not use third-party trackers, ensuring user data is not shared with external parties.
Olvid is based in France, ensuring compliance with EU privacy laws.
Olvid does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Olvid offers free use of its basic features. For individuals it costs 4.99€ per month if they want secure audio/video calls and multi-device support.
Website

Session

Session is a decentralised, anonymous messaging app with a focus on privacy.

Session is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community contributions.
Session uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Session is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Session does not use third-party trackers, ensuring user data is not shared with external parties.
Session operates on a decentralized network, reducing reliance on single points of control and enhancing user privacy.
Session does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Session is available for free, with optional premium features (Session Pro) that require payment.
Website

Element (Matrix)

Element is an open-source, federated messaging app based on the Matrix protocol.

Element is fully open-source, including both client and server code, allowing for independent audits and community contributions.
Element uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Element is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Element does not use third-party trackers, ensuring user data is not shared with external parties.
Element operates on a decentralized network (Matrix), reducing reliance on single points of control and enhancing user privacy.
Element can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and communication infrastructure.
Element offers a free tier, though there are optional paid features for organisations.
Website

Signal

Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app with end-to-end encryption and open-source transparency.

Signal is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community contributions to its codebase.
Signal uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Signal is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Signal does not use third-party trackers, ensuring user data is not shared with external parties.
Signal is free to use for all users, with no premium features locked behind paywalls (yet).
Website

The 5 main issues with WhatsApp

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

WhatsApp lacks transparency in its data collection, sharing, and security practices. The platform has been criticized for not disclosing how user data is used, shared, or protected, and for failing to provide clear, accessible information about its privacy policies and security vulnerabilities. Regulatory actions and whistleblower reports have further exposed WhatsApp’s opaque operations.Source: The Register: WhatsApp’s lack of transparency in security reports, The Verge: WhatsApp banned by US House for lack of transparency

Data Monopolies - Control of vast amounts of user data, creating risks for privacy and potential misuse.

WhatsApp shares extensive user data, including phone numbers, device information, and metadata, with Meta/Facebook. This data is used for targeted advertising and to enhance Meta’s data monopoly. Despite claims of end-to-end encryption for messages, WhatsApp’s integration with Meta’s ecosystem allows for widespread data collection and sharing, often without clear user consent or transparency.Source: WIRED: WhatsApp has shared your data with Facebook for years, The Verge: WhatsApp links accounts to Meta’s ecosystem

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

WhatsApp’s privacy practices have been repeatedly criticised for sharing user data, including phone numbers and metadata, with Meta/Facebook. The platform’s use of phone numbers as unique identifiers exposes users to enumeration attacks, allowing bad actors to harvest billions of phone numbers. WhatsApp’s privacy settings and security measures have been found inadequate by regulators and researchers alike.Source: WIRED: WhatsApp security flaw exposed 3.5 billion phone numbers, The Register: WhatsApp ex-security head reveals privacy shortcomings

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

WhatsApp has been acquired by Meta (Facebook) in 2014, one of the largest tech companies. Meta’s acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram have been scrutinised for anti-competitive practices, with regulators arguing that these deals were designed to eliminate competition and consolidate Meta’s control over user data and social networking.Source: TechCrunch:Facebook Closes WhatsApp Acquisition (2014), The Verge: FTC v. Meta antitrust trial over WhatsApp

Misinformation / Manipulation - Spread of false or misleading information, often through algorithmic amplification, which can harm public discourse and trust.

Meta retired fact checks for user generated content on their social media platforms. The company also profits from scam ads that harm its users. Sources: Techspot: Meta knowingly took in billions from scam ads, ArsTechnica: Meta axes third-party fact-checkers in time for second Trump term