WhatsApp update

[Szdfan]

I don’t have the latest update, it’s the channels and that is what I was told.

I have WhatsApp primarily to call and text with my Dad in Russia.

So I checked out Channels and honestly, I'm a bit confused by it. While Channels is definitely a step towards making WhatsApp more like social media, it lacks the interactivity of social media. Channels are a one-way stream in which a content creator can send out text, video and pictures While it's possible to "react" to these posts, it's not possible to comment on these posts.

Honestly, I find it kinda lame. I guess it's another way to send out content in cases where other social media is not available.

It is possible on IOS devices to share Netflix through WhatsApp. It's also apparently possible to watch Netflix trailers. I'm not sure if it's possible to selext Netflix content through WhatsApp.

It looks like an attempt by Whatsapp to replicate Telegram's channels feature. And since anybody can create channels on Telegram, there's literally anything available. The biggest problem for plain Anabaptists who want to regulate what they and their children can access on the Internet is the porn channels, and so Telegram is basically not used in many churches. Whatsapp has been working fine, but I've always wondered how a free app with no obvious source of monetization will continue as is. Plain churches, mine included, are now looking at using other messaging systems. There are no explicit rules in my church about which system you have to use or not use, but there's common sense. I hear folks are looking at Signal, and of course there's CloudVeil which is Telegram-based but without access to Channels.

Monetization in tech is a weird thing because it seems like investors are willing to invest in money losing tech until it builds up a user base that can be monetized. In a lot of ways, I prefer paid apps over “free.”

I can understand the struggle for plain groups. One of the dynamics of tech is that it decentralizes access to information (both good and bad), which makes it harder to gatekeep and control what information people have access to.

I like Signal.

[Szdfan]

Can one of you enlightened ones speak to the poor benighted masses here regarding the privacy/encryption aspect of WhatsApp and the benefit thereof for mission work in countries where open communication to those of us here in the States is potentially risky?

It is more private than SMS messages, so I guess this would apply in places like Russia and China (although WhatsApp doesn’t really work in China).

If security is highly important then a more robust protocol needs to be used. Signal and Session are both robust. So is using encrypted email like Protonmail. Telegram has some flaws that have not been corrected. I would avoid WhatsApp since Meta now has access to read your messages and could disclose them to third parties.

I use WhatsApp to talk to my Dad in Russia. Even with encryption, we’re careful what we talk about. We presume he’s being listened to.

[Josh]

I can understand the struggle for plain groups. One of the dynamics of tech is that it decentralizes access to information (both good and bad), which makes it harder to gatekeep and control what information people have access to.

I like Signal.

No, it doesn't decentralise anything. The effect of tech has been to centralise control in the hands of a few very large, wealthy corporations, specifically Facebook, Apple, and Google. In the case of WhatsApp, Facebook is now in a position of central control to basically decide what large swaths of the plain world see when they open their phones and use WhatsApp, which is the primary app many of them use on their phones.

There is no "good or bad" about this; it's entirely bad. There is still plenty of gatekeeping going on. It's just that Facebook or some other unaccountable, large, private corporation is doing the gatekeeping and deciding to control what information people have access to.

[danfreed]

So now WhatsApp has Channels that you can follow.

So this is something new? I thought it was invented 123 years ago by Mary Maxwell, except back then it was channels only, without the rest of WhatsApp.

Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation,
All Thy loving message sound.

I love that song, OJ!
Your post was such a positive note in this WhatsApp thread.

Another good "Channel song" that I'm praying today:
"Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today."
-Harper G. Smyth (1903)
https://hymnary.org/text/is_your_life_a ... f_blessing

This channeling is only possible as my sin/self focus is changed to "what is helpful for building others up according to their needs"
Positive communication to others, from God, through me.
Based on His forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit changing my heart.
Wow! What a miracle!

Works in old-fashioned, face-to-face talking, and in the most modern communication methods.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Bible (Ephesians 4:29-32)