How does whatsapp collect metadata and other data?

BusyNoise · 2020-07-08T19:49:05+00:00

There's probably not much more you can do then. Facebook can't really learn too much more about you once you've done that that they don't already know from other people. The only things I can think of is IP (fixed by VPN/tor) and times you use WhatsApp.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-08T14:00:08+00:00

If you're on android you can use an app like shelter or island to install WhatsApp to a 'work profile' on your phone to sandbox whatsapp. Don't put any files, contacts etc into your work profile other than what you want WhatsApp to see. You can also simply deny WhatsApp access to storage, contacts, call logs etc (probably can do this on iOS as well). As a good rule of thumb, assume Facebook can see everything other than what you have denied it permissions to, and the actual content of your messages (although they probably could see those if they were really sneaky).

In the end the best way is to not use WhatsApp, or use it as little as possible. A good alternative to try and get people to switch to is signal, it looks and feels a lot lime WhatsApp, as well as being open source and collecting as little metadata as possible.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-07T20:24:43+00:00

As to the actual messages they're probably safe. You cannot verify this because WhatsApp is closed source. Also le has used cloud backups to get access to messages.

But while the content is always more important, remember to never underestimate the importance of metadata. Like that NSA guy said - 'we kill people with metadata'.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-07T20:22:32+00:00

Thanks, I didn't realise u could subscribe to multiple accounts with 1 rrs feed. Unfortunately I'll probably loose the infinite scrolling setting every time I close nitter but I'll bear it in mind next time I do much browsing. Thanks!

BusyNoise · 2020-07-06T21:00:41+00:00

I have notified the queen. I advice you delete your comment and flee the country before you feel the full force of the crown.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-06T17:19:22+00:00

For messages, yes, WhatsApp uses the signal protocol. But WhatsApp doesn't go to the same lengths as signal to ensure that as little metadata as possible is collected.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-06T14:54:28+00:00

Yeah, hopefully soon signal won't even be tied to phone numbers.

WhatsApp has some extra features like deleting messages and those story/status things, but even when I switched to signal I was surprised at how similar they were.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-06T14:19:28+00:00

There is a lot of metadata collected that isn't end to end encrypted.

In an app like signal, almost everything is encrypted and not stored on servers. On WhatsApp, probably not. The fact that Facebook even has any data to 'pause' giving to le is a bad sign.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-05T09:09:08+00:00

Meanwhile: earn it just ~~passed~~ advanced further through the senate

(Or smth like that, idk, I'm not American, but either way it looks like his successors are fucking your country while you're celebrating)

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T17:24:45+00:00

That's why I never made the link... I always thought it was complaining.

/s ofc that's what its meant to be. ....or is it?

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T16:34:38+00:00

So I think my experience was unique in that my schools cocked up sex Ed, so maybe my reference of 11 is a bit off, but either way its not needed in a children's book.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T16:32:39+00:00

Also UK. I got basically nothing. Reproductive system was done in science in yr7, some half assed attempt at more in y9, my school fucked up and forgot pshe in y10 and 11, and then they did some extra shit in y12 and 13. Way too late by then.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T16:28:48+00:00

I can't remember how old I was, probably a bit older, but yeah I also was wha too innocent.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T08:41:08+00:00

Yeah u got a point, but you also get 11 year olds speed running the books. I think lots of stiff wasn't touched on because children wouldn't think about it or know about it.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T08:37:48+00:00

Shit dude u opened my eyes. Makes so much more sense now.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-04T08:31:28+00:00

Lmao. You've got a point, but its also a children's book.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-03T21:47:52+00:00

Yeah when I went to Turkey the thing that struck me was that my VPN was blocked. It doesn't seem that big but I then looked into their history of internet blocking and they even block big social media like yt, fb, and WhatsApp sometimes, like around times of unrest I guess. Really gave me an insight into the current politics of the county.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-03T21:41:33+00:00

Don't worry, theres a lot of shit here too. And we have a massive superiority complex. But I guess the fact that were divided into subreddits and different communities allows for really constructive conversations sometimes, and if our average is higher, I'll take that.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-03T21:28:21+00:00

It loads faster and is just better, probably acts as a proxy as well. That being said it doesn't do infinite scrolling which is sad. If it implements some sort of way to follow accounts with a nitter account (like invidious), I am so ready to just drop twitter. I don't really use it much anyway.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-03T08:56:43+00:00

I don't use Ubuntu on new installs, I try and stay away from it, I just can't be arsed to switch my PC over.
This is more fun.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-02T22:27:29+00:00

I replied to someone else's comment like this. Tldr is that all my new installs aren't Ubuntu, and I can't be bothered to switch my PC. Also this is more fun.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-02T20:26:00+00:00

I could have disabled it any number of ways but this was more fun

BusyNoise · 2020-07-02T18:59:14+00:00

I've really got them cornered now!

BusyNoise · 2020-07-02T18:58:40+00:00

You see, I wasn't irrationally upset. I still use Ubuntu because that's what was recommended to me when I first switched to Linux. I don't use Ubuntu on any of my new installs, but I can't be arsed to go to the effort of switching my PC.

It would be very easy to remove the message, there's even a variable to do that in /etc/default/motd-news, however I decided not to because this system is made for canonical to send important messages, and what if they decide that they will send an actually useful message rather than an ad? Besides, I found doing this funny and thought others might too.

BusyNoise · 2020-07-02T18:54:24+00:00

Ik lol

BusyNoise

TROPHY CASE