Not even Whatsapp is Private anymore!

PaulJanuary 21, 20201 Reply

Whatsapp and Privacy

I’ve been using whatsapp for 2 years now and never thought a thing about it. Recently I have been logging into Whatsapp and seeing the Facebook logo on the start screen of it on my mobile device. Facebook bought Whatsapp in February 2014 about 6 years ago. So I didn’t know about this until recently when they decided to update the apps on Google Play. We all thought Whatsapp was end to end encryption. Then I had Facebook ads start showing stuff that I didn’t even talk about or say anything on the Fb messenger. I won’t explain what as been showing up with it because I want to keep my life private but I will say it’s a little disconcerning. There’s even a post from another blogger named Sk babu about this such problem. Is our encrypted message being unencrypted by Facebook and bots and people reading our messages.

Should I stop using Whatsapp?

This has been a sour point with me and keeping my conversations with friends private. Many bloggers around the world are suggesting we stop using Whatsapp because Facebook will sooner or later embed content moderation into our conversations. So how are they going to do that if it is encrypted. Simple, they have the master key to all encrypted content. WhatsApp even said some of this in their blog posting 2016.

But by coordinating more with Facebook, we’ll be able to do things like track basic metrics about how often people use our services and better fight spam on WhatsApp. And by connecting your phone number with Facebook’s systems, Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them.

Metrics and Phone Numbers?

What metrics is Facebook and Whatsapp tracking? I can imagine if it’s end to end encryption that they can track much. If this is really being tracked then how are they doing this? Why would I want to connect my phone number to Facebook, if I wanted to be a private about this with other such applications. It is really concerning in my mind and thus I want to move from WhatsApp to another app.

3 Apps that Might be an alternative to Whatsapp

I’ve been searching Google play and I have come up with a list of apps that look promising and these are:

Threema — I was drawn to this app because it has a ranged of security features such as Trusted Contacts, and Highest level of encryption. I do see a small set back is that it cost money to buy the program. So there is that but I like that it has a level of trust for people by verify there identity with a qr code.
Signal Private Messaging App — This is an open sourced and uses Open Whisper Systems. It is also free but there isn’t much way to verify someone on Signal but it is secure and you can keep private by routing your calls through the server to avoid your ip from showing. I’ve tried and it looks promising.
Telegram — I’ve used telegram from gaming and other such activities and I am impressed with it but there is much to desired by it because you can’t verify anyone’s identity without your Telephone number.

These are three that I recommend and have used 2 out of the 3. I might just buy Threema and check it out and tell you what I think. Do you have a secure messaging app that you want to recommend. Why not leave a comment and tell me your experiences on it!

Staying Positive in a long distance relationship!

PaulMarch 5, 20191 Reply

cheerful close up coffee cup — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s really hard!

So you got into a long distance relationship and you are struggling? So now you are wondering how you will not be so negative all the time. It truly can be very hard for anyone to be apart from that one person who makes you smile and makes the world of difference in even the simplest activities. I know in my current situation this is the case.

My girlfriend and I met in December and I came back and felt lost and down because I already missing her terribly.

We had a great first meeting of 9 days and I wouldn’t change a thing. The problem is quite clear to me and others that you now have to get back into your routines. All the while you are wishing you could go back and hold their hand or kiss them, or even just their smell next to you.

I know the longing that accompanies being in a long distance relationship.

Write down your thoughts!

I started this blog for that one reason. I had to down my thoughts and be an example to those who might be having Trials and Tribulations! If you want to stay positive tell that person how much they mean to you and keep a journal or send them cards from time to time. They maybe going through some rough patches just like you and need that reassurance for the same thing as you. They have to constantly fight the negative thoughts and people who are a constant problem in any LDR.

Video Chat as much as possible!

This one can be hard for some because of their schedules but you need that face time with that special someone. I try to do that with my girlfriend as much as possible. Some recommend not doing that everyday but each relationship is different and you will need to decide just how much you can do it or if you want to limit your time talking to him/her. If you can’t Video chat all the time then set a schedule on when you will do it and make sure you keep that schedule but remember you must be flexible enough from time to time because of emergencies or stuff that happens from time to time.

Set the next meeting!

This one is most important to me because each time you visit you have to decide just how soon you want to return to see them. If they can come to see you then that is also good but understand that some people can’t afford to travel because of Visa’s or even having children. Don’t expect them to contribute just as much as you are doing. Make a plan and stick with it, even if it’s not the most desirable idea or plan. You may get there and see the world through a different perspective. Go ahead and buy that ticket that way can start saving for other things for your next trip. I’ve heard buying your ticket on Tuesday mornings will cheapest and the price will change. If you must watch how much you spend then buy it.

Listen to positive Music!

This is my go to when I am feeling down and about. I turn on Pandora or Spotify and I listen to music that brings me closer to her or uplifts me when I need it. If you aren’t into music, I would recommend getting some exercise and doing stuff with friends and family. Either way this helps keeps me from getting to depressed and lonely.

That’s it for me!

Even though this is a small list of things that you can do to stay positive in a long distance relationship this at least helps to move you in the right direction and hopefully to closing the gap and being with them forever. If you have ways to keep positive why not share them in the comments section and help others who might be struggling!

The Beginning of my LDR!

PaulFebruary 23, 20191 Reply

Photo by vjapratama on Pexels.com

Trust is KEY!

Being in a long distance relationship can be very hard. I will say that I have been in one for over 6 months and each day is very hard. The First thing you must learn is that you need to build the trust of the person. Talk about yourself and be absolutely open to the idea that this might actually be a thing. Be completely truthful to them even if it hurts to open up like that. I learned this the first week of getting to know my girlfriend. Let’s begin by talking about who this woman is that has my heart.

We will start discussing this in full in my next blog post!

Happen chance meeting

We initially met on OkCupid, and we started talking back and fourth on OkCupid. We sent messages and started to see there was something special about each other. She has kids and I had kids but that help strengthen our understanding of each other because we both knew how kids were always going to be a relationship dynamic in our current situation.

We started to get serious and she wanted to close her OkCupid account and just focus on us to see where it goes. We went from OkCupid to Whatsapp which allows us to video call and talk to each other a little more securely. We started video chatting about a week into talking on WhatsApp.

The first video I was so nervous and I think she was too. After the first video chat, I knew she had my heart even just a little.

Nothing is Easy!

The problem with meeting someone on the internet is that you never really know who they are until you are willing to share pictures and video with them.

Some people have a really hard time with video chatting because they have so many insecurities and that can bring about problems in the long. So you have to decide what you are willing to do and what you want out of the relationship.

Can you do a long distance relationship or is it to much for you?
Do you need touch them?
Can you survive with just texting, video chatting, and pictures from time to time?
Can you trust them completely?
How do I build trust?
What’s my next step in this Long Distance Relationship?

These are the questions that you first have to answer and resolve in any relationship! If you can’t answer these questions then you might not be suited for a long Distance relationships but I know it will be worth it in the end.

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Tag: Whatsapp