Is it possible to ask a nutritionist or a psychologist that previously we had conversations (updates, questions…) via WhatsApp to switch to Signal?
EDIT: Thanks for all the answers, and I will try to ask. The WhatsApp use in my case is really to talk privately, like ask questions directly, or other things, however if they ask for a reason. Should I give because of privacy (terms of service, E2EE…)? I live in a country where privacy is not a thing well accepted yet (the normal confusion of privacy is secrecy…).
The only way to find out is to try. A lot of businesses, as well as medical practices use WhatsApp, in that they have a business WhatsApp account to communicate with customers and patients.
From my experience, when it comes to medical practices, the WhatsApp number is not meant to communicate any personal medical information. It’s to send reminders about appointments or give updates on whether the doctor is available or not. Admittedly, that metadata is still quite personal.
If you’re just communicating privately with your doctor, in that you have their personal number, then it’s definitely worth asking to switch to Signal. But if it’s a business account that’s simply used for general broadcast communication, I don’t think it’s worth asking.
I don’t know if Signal has plans to appeal to businesses, but until they do, I don’t think they can compete with WhatsApp in that regard.
You’d have to ask them but pretty soon RCS Universal Profile 3.0 will be rolling out which will bring cross-platform E2EE by default, so I think the problem will solve itself.
If they work for a company or an organization, it may be against their policies. But if they are a solo practitioner or running a small practice, then they just might if you ask nice especially when they understand the importance of privacy here.
Is there a way other than to ask your cellular service provider if they have this enabled on their network? Many places round the world may do it different so want to know how to check for your own network or any network you get a number on in different parts of the world.
I am a healthcare professional and no one in my outer circle wants to talk in Signal. I have forced, nay coerced, my subordinates to use Signals but I barely get any traction.
At least you guys are using WhatsApp - out here personal patient data is sent via Messenger by other healthcare professionals and the office work with.
I almost want to give up… I was even forced by the official professional association to go back and use Facebook against my will because they no longer publish and update their official website. I wont be able to renew my license thanks to these dinosaurs.
Can’t you cozy up and implore them for the importance of encryption?
Your advocacy should never stop though. It only takes once for the higher ups to listen to you. I know the demoralization here, but that’s the job we have as privacy advocates.
They look at me with blank stares. I don’t think they truly understand. The alternative explanation is that they think they understand but actively choose not to process the thought out of sheer existential horror that their entire lives have been out these all these times and corporations can see through their very souls.
I mean f.ck we were the testing ground for Cambridge Analytica and they still do not know it. Corrupt presidents (plural) have been using it to guide their election campaign. The entire surveillance apparatus know the exact kind of apple to tempt our people with because we have collectively fed the surveillance capitalism with our most intimate thoughts and fears.
The key is bring the privacy and encryption subject through another topic and not directly. The conclusion of your discussion or story should be that privacy is extremely important and encryption is how you get that.
I think, albeit I don’t know for sure, the educating someone on a new subject matter is what’s the issue at large. I’ve noticed this in my life too. If you directly start with explaining why privacy is key, they won’t get it. You need to let them come to the same conclusions through their own deductions themselves.
–
But I get what you’re saying. It’s bad. But this is where we must not lose our cool and the will to continue educating and spreading awareness should grow stronger and not weaker.
Update! I asked my medical professional about switching from WhatsApp to another app (like Signal) for our communications, and the medical professional’s answer was, “I can’t have an app on my phone that I only use for one client, and if you prefer, talk to me via SMS.” Where I live, it is super weird not trusting or disagreeing with SMSs in general. Thanks for the discussion.
As a former medical professional, I only came to grips with this when my entire contacts list was hacked and everyone including family and friends were phished. Perfect example of the skunk at a garden party … so if they wish to assume that suit, then just keep on trucking !