I have to have WhatsApp installed on one of my phones for work purposes. It’s not possible to ask my work to give me a phone (I’m on zero-hours contract). I do have two phones - one DeGoogled pixel running CalyxOS and one iPhone XS. The iPhone I use for banking apps and basically anything that ties directly to me. Apple Pay and so on. Then I use the DeGoogled phone for everything else - most communications done over Signal, taking photos etc. This is my daily driver.

My question is this - is there any way to make WhatsApp as private as possible? I’m fine knowing WhatsApp reads all my messages etc (not really fine per se, but what choice do I have) but what I really don’t want is telemetry. So which phone should I install it on? The private one to limit telemetry, or the regular phone to stop any telemetry from my private phone being read? Or is there some way I can remotely host an instance of WhatsApp or something?

  • iturnedintoanewt@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    The problem with this setup would be there constant profile switching and the constant screen unlocking. These profiles aren’t too easy to switch/coordinate, IMHO.

    • smeg@feddit.uk
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      8 months ago

      Really? I’ve always switched very simply by pulling down to the quick settings menu and clicking the user button.

      • iturnedintoanewt@lemm.ee
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        8 months ago

        And then you have to choose the user and go through the login screen/PIN. I mean you can be done in 10-15 seconds each time, but it’s for something as frequently used as a chat app, it really breaks the workflow each time you need go switch apps/users, as compared to, say, hitting the navigation button to switch app twice.

        • smeg@feddit.uk
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          8 months ago

          OK, well that’s the price you have to pay if you want to keep it isolated. I know I can’t be bothered to do it, but that’s what OP requested!

          • iturnedintoanewt@lemm.ee
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            8 months ago

            I reckon there should be a way to keep both sessions logged in and more easily changeable. I mean, I asked and apparently they are running simultaneously and without pausing when you switch.