## Hello This is a note for a select few friends about the fact I will not use WhatsApp. I am not going to go into the why here as a quick search reveals a myriad of information on the web about why. However I have conversations with people about this and the general non techy person finds this difficult or sometimes even thinks the type of secure app I am suggesting is for illegal stuff like drug dealers. Please do not be offended, this is simply an area I am up on - if you think you are getting a free service then you are paying for it in some other way. As an example I pay a noticeable amount for secure package of password manager, email (personal and corporate), calendar, vpn and file storage online these days (see end below). My reasons include privacy and lack of advertising. So here is a list of how we (you and I) can have conversations in formats I will work with - I do like talking, I also like ephemeral messages that disappear like conversations in the real world. I cannot stand the idea someone comes back and says - "but 2 years ago you said" and it be out of context. ### list - ***Signal*** - works very like WhatsApp, so you only need my phone number to connect - very popular these days. Just search google play or apple store for signal. Also has desktop version to make typing on a keyboard easier. I am now using this alot. - ***Threema*** - small up front cost (<£5ish) but at the time of writing probably the best there is. It is the only paid one but that is part of the issue - if you are not paying money then you pay in the use of your information. Threema's [comparison page is here](https://threema.ch/en/messenger-comparison) Also has a browser version to make typing on a keyboard easier. - It would be better to get it through google play as then it updates without issue. I am not putting a link as you can search google play for Threema. Rather than put my account here - send me yours by sms and I will connect us. - ***Wire*** - I have used this with many people for a while however it does seem to have issues around the notifications, it is common that we need to go through the settings to reset the push token. In used to have this as favourite and it does have most of the advantages you are looking for however the push notification issue is becoming a problem. Also has a browser version to make typing on a keyboard easier. Just search for a contact username descooke - ***WickrMe*** - this was great as it could be totally anonymous - no need for email or phone number so use a VPN and no one knew who you were and you could have made an account completely anonymous and untraceable back to you however it was recently bought by amazon and that is all changing - if you like this try me on account desc - I will keep it till amazon want to charge for it. - ***Telegram*** - I do not use but it is popular in the US and I will get it if it is your preference - let me know. ## Email and online Files On another note email and secure web apps I use proton and pay their top tier. If you want to be sensible I cannot recommend this system enough. You will sacrifice some features you were used to in gmail and google docs but the overall outcome is a much better place for your data. I still use google docs for collaboration but I back everything up to proton and all our company email etc has been in this system for several years. [Get sensible and sort your own fully secure encrypted system](https://account.proton.me/refer-a-friend?referrer=2TA84Q1QXEWG) - again you get what you pay for. My data is my own because I pay! ### tl;dr Free is never actually free.