LOL, they're talking about preserving "WhatsApp security and integrity"
In the EU, there are standards that must be adhered to, but it's unclear what privacy standards Meta will maintain or discard in other parts of the world. Their "free" WhatsApp messenger monetizes by collecting user data, including device information, contacts' phone numbers, and usage patterns. This data collection also allows them to pinpoint your location and share this information with Facebook.
Outside the EU, Meta could potentially use other apps to supplement these data points. It has been well documented that WhatsApp/Meta has shared this data with authorities when required in the past. This move doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies.
My understanding is that many chat applications incliding whattsapp use the signal protocal. However sadly signal nolonger wants to federate with anyone which i think is a huge shame and really could be the next step in global encrypted communications.
IIRC it wasn't the signal protocol, just the encryption methods that were shared with WhatsApp. I don't think federation was ever on the cards.
Where did you see that Signal won't federate with anything? Can't find info on it anywhere.
Wikepedia, and some devs of some of the devs for alternative clients where complaining about it.
Edit: Deleted because I mixed up two different products lol.
I still think they could make federation an opt-in preference though.
Although the DMA officially went into effect last year, the EU is giving gatekeepers like Meta until March 2024 to comply.
It's only a few weeks away, I don't really see it happen, but if it can, that would be nice
That's fine, the punishment for being late can be substantial (up to 10% of worldwide turnover), even more so on repeated offense and they have more options than just fines.
It would be nice if those fines could be used to support free software development for alternatives
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