# Work uses Whatsapp **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/work-uses-whatsapp/16337 **Category:** General **Created:** 2024-01-20T13:03:58Z **Posts:** 27 ## Post 1 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:03:58Z So I work from home, but my workplace have a whatsapp group and it seems that its «mandatory» to have whatsapp.. I dont want Whatsapp.. So is there a way to get out of this? Can I make up that my number is banned from Whatsapp and send them a fake screenshot of it? Is that a solution? Please give any suggestions --- ## Post 2 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-20T13:21:18Z > [@anon26110603](#): > > Can I make up that my number is banned from Whatsapp and send them a fake screenshot of it? This is lie. And to make it worse for you it’s easily discoverable one that can (and should) get you fired. Not wisest idea. Not to mention its a forgery so punishable with prison time. --- ## Post 3 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:28:09Z Doesn’t need to be a lie if I actually get it banned by spamming everywhere, but I get what you sayin --- ## Post 4 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-20T13:32:03Z @anon26110603 to be completely honest I think itd quicker for you to get another charge of stalking than to get blocked on Whatsapp, but thats just my wild guess… People just block one another when some number annoys them. And thats it. --- ## Post 5 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:36:25Z Yeah well, I guess the best I can do then is to have 1 work phone and 1 private phone for now --- ## Post 6 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-20T13:38:45Z Thats the best way for you to go. If you are tech person than you can also go with one number and proxy. But configuring it is more advanced thing. --- ## Post 7 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:41:12Z Yes I already have an separate number for it, I will look into proxy, wasn’t aware of that. Thanks man --- ## Post 8 by @user1 — 2024-01-20T13:52:20Z You could also use whatsapp in a work/user profile with a voip number to keep things contained. --- ## Post 9 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:56:24Z Thanks for the suggestions, will give that a try too. I just hate how workplaces are enforcing Whatsapp, guess its a way to control more.. Anyways im screwed with this job due to the use of Microsoft ecosystem etc. --- ## Post 10 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T13:58:44Z This is the worst part of working in IT, pushes tech on you that you don’t wanna use on your devices. Guess it’s time to start my own business :+1: --- ## Post 11 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-20T14:06:18Z > [@anon26110603](#): > > I just hate how workplaces are enforcing Whatsapp I have same feelings. And workplaces dont enforce Whatsapp only. Many other software stacks also. > [@anon26110603](#): > > This is the worst part of working in IT, Depends on your position, knowledge, as well as other factors… on my current position Im completely free to choose whatever software I want to work with. But thats me. > [@anon26110603](#): > > Guess it’s time to start my own business :+1: Or just start following PG’s recommendations. :slight_smile: --- ## Post 12 by @anon26110603 — 2024-01-20T14:21:51Z Yeah I mean, ok cool if you give me an phone and a computer I can deal with it I guess. But once they try to push you to download Microsoft Authenticator and Whatsapp etc on your personal device thats over the line honestly. It really depends on your position for sure, and I’m happy you have the freedom to choose. Yeah I have followed PG a long time, but just recently I joined the forum due to I didn’t want to be a part of any other social media platform. Good old forums is the way to go.. --- ## Post 13 by @anon29374801 — 2024-01-20T16:07:35Z Have you talked to your employer about this? I think you should try explaining that your uncomfortable using whatsapp and that if they need you to use it you would like to be provided a work phone to use it on. --- ## Post 14 by @overdrawn98901 — 2024-01-20T16:23:53Z Options: - Don’t install it on your phone, only work computer. They said you need WhatsApp, not to have it installed on your local device. If they need to reach you, your number is listed there. Still have to use your real number, or maybe you can get around it. - If they insist on having it installed on your phone, ask for a work phone. They can’t tell you to install it on your phone, though if you need a job push comes to shove sometimes. Maybe you could push for Slack after joining? There are so many great integrations you could push for, and convince them the business side is amazing. No phone number needed. --- ## Post 15 by @ph00lt0 — 2024-01-20T17:29:34Z Strange advice IMHO. Ay least on WhatsApp some data is encrypted on slack nothing is. Hard to sya what you should do. Personally i don’t see WhatsApp as end of the world. It is a lot better than several other options. And as someone suggested above just use a voip number if you wantnto contain the use. --- ## Post 16 by @overdrawn98901 — 2024-01-20T18:03:08Z Depends on your use case. For personal, I definitely want E2E encryption + no ties to my phone. For work, I fine with taking the hit of E2E encryption so my number isn’t associated, and I don’t disclose personal details there. But fair point - slack isn’t encrypted, and a con for sure. --- ## Post 17 by @deadorbit — 2024-01-20T19:43:21Z > If they insist on having it installed on your phone, ask for a work phone. They can’t tell you to install it on your phone, though if you need a job push comes to shove sometimes. Completely false. An employer can mandate their employees do whatever they want so long as it isn’t illegal or discriminatory. I’ve had plenty of jobs tell me I was required to have certain things for the job and that I’d be expected to pay for them out of pocket. --- ## Post 18 by @exaCORE — 2024-01-20T20:20:14Z You could bridge to matrix, there are some paying services that allow you to do so, however that may not be OK with your company due to intellectual property, etc. --- ## Post 19 by @crossroads — 2024-01-20T20:23:04Z I was/am in a similar situation, though it’s not employer who asks, but colleagues, for unofficial group chats and outside of work activities. So I took the old phone, bought another SIM card and activated WA there. That phone is always at home, I’m not taking it with me (also without mobile internet). I check WA via web browser, or from matrix client on PC (separate account with WA & Telegram bridges) I am using Schildi chat (matrix account with WA bridge) on my primary phone. I’m aware it might leak more WA data (I get some status data that I probably shouldn’t see), but I don’t care much, as I barely write anything. Also, it can not be used for calls, only chats. On the plus side, the company actually prohibits use of WA for any work related tasks, so people are becoming aware there are issues with it, and I see more and more colleagues on Signal --- ## Post 20 by @Valynor — 2024-01-20T20:43:21Z > [@anon26110603](#): > > So is there a way to get out of this? Ask for a work phone. If they want you to install software they need to supply you with a device for that. Only use the work phone for WA (and whatever else work-related), never for private things. --- ## Post 21 by @overdrawn98901 — 2024-01-20T22:00:28Z I take it back, you are correct. I once had a retail job where I had to pay for my own uniform, so it makes sense to transfer to even tech related things. Good callout! Even so, asking for a work phone is still doable. But yeah, WhatsApp will still have metadata on you. --- ## Post 22 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-20T23:43:46Z > [@deadorbit](#): > > An employer can mandate their employees do whatever they want so long as it isn’t illegal or discriminatory True, but s/he must provide you (as their employee) all the tools that are required for you to provide work (of expected quality) at **his/her own expense** = free of charge for you. Thats the law. --- ## Post 23 by @beantaco — 2024-01-22T13:14:46Z Have you tried refusing to use WhatsApp (and suggesting an alternative)? If so, what was their response? Expressing your refusal to use WhatsApp let’s them know you’re not happy to use whatsApp, and might make them think about why WhatsApp is bad. I’d be curious to know what kind of response you get, but I’m not suggesting that you risk jeopardizing your job by pushing back. If they give you no option but to use WhatsApp, you can try ask them to provide a work device and work SIM card. If they’re nice or if the law in your jurisdiction mandates it, you might end up with a work device you can install all the nasty stuff on :slightly_smiling_face: Based on your previous posts, I guess you just don’t want to install spyware or proprietary stuff on your devices, but is that your only concern? If you’re also worried about WhatsApp collecting your biometrics and behavioral traits, I don’t know what to suggest that would protect you against that. Requiring a phone number to sue WhatsApp sucks too. If you list specific reasons why you don’t want to use WhatsApp, we might be able to suggest how to tackle those. --- ## Post 24 by @deadorbit — 2024-01-22T16:33:45Z Curious, what law are you referring to? Because in the US the Fair Labor Standards Act only refers to what tools and equipment an employer must provide. Like if I work in a machine shop I’m not going to bring my own personal drill press to and from work every day. I’m also wondering since most jobs require their employees to be reachable by phone the company should also pay for landlines at every employee’s house? Should they pay for your preferred method of travel as well? I don’t know where this sense of entitlement comes from tbh but WhatsApp isn’t the hill I would die on. It’s not like they’re asking you to bring your personal computer, desk, and printer to work. --- ## Post 25 by @deadorbit — 2024-01-22T16:35:33Z > [@Valynor](#): > > Ask for a work phone. If they want you to install software they need to supply you with a device for that. No, they don’t “need” to. Just like they don’t “need” to pay for your car, phone bill, or even the clothes you wear to work. --- ## Post 26 by @wojciechxtx — 2024-01-22T16:54:49Z > [@beantaco](#): > > Have you tried refusing to use WhatsApp (and suggesting an alternative)? I wouldnt do this. In 99% of cases this is the simplest way toi get fired. > [@deadorbit](#): > > what law are you referring to? Local law that exist (and is in force) in Poland where I grew up. --- ## Post 27 by @beantaco — 2024-01-23T10:37:20Z I guess you are probably right that many workplaces will fire someone for refusing to use whatever they use. Outright refusing is probably a bad idea. It probably wouldn’t hurt to negotiate or ask about it though. Too late for OP @anon26110603 I guess, but it would be good to find out what tools a workplace uses before accepting an offer to work there. It’s not useful to say “it’s the law” when we all live in different parts of the world. The laws where OP lives are most relevant in this thread, but OP hasn’t disclosed this.