Hello fellow c/privacy members.

I’m not new to privacy related things but I had a hard time persuading my family members and friends to switch to Matrix/Element. It is a reponse to UK’s Online Security Bill and Investigative Powers Act that may soon in effect.

While it is just a preperation and planning in case those actually became law, I already face resistance from them. When I ask them would they switch, their first reaction is “Why one more app?” then follows with “That’s cumbersome.” or “I don’t want to learn a new app.” and suggest something more popular like Line, Telegram or Discord. Sometimes they would “Install WhatsApp because X is on there and he/she won’t install one more app just for you.”

What can I do to persuade them to use a new platform? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I think I should elebroate more of what Online Security Bill and Investigative Powers Act does[1]. As far as I understand, OSB will break E2EE by require scanning data on client device, like CSAM but much more generic. IPA requires companies to submit security funcition to the government for approval before releasing, and disable such feature upon request. Apple[2], Single[3] and WhatsApp made the announancment of exiting the UK market totally or partically if two were signed into law.

[1] https://web.archive.org/web/thenextweb.com/news/uk-investigatory-powers-act-default-surveillance-devices-privacy
[2] https://web.archive.org/web/www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2023/07/21/apple-threatens-to-pull-facetime-and-imessage-from-the-uk
[3] https://web.archive.org/web/20230809125823/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65301510#2023-08-09T12:57:48+00:00

  • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    if it is an option to use different apps for daily chit chat and private matters, you may also take a look at Briar.
    I say it this way because you both need* to be online connected** to receive the message. It is also a bit more than a messaging app, its useful for organizing group events.

    * there is a workaround. they have a software that you can run on a regular computer that will hold the incoming messages until your phone becomes accessible, and the outgoing ones until the recipient becomes available.

    ** the app can use the internet (always through Tor), the local network (like a wifi network) and bluetooth to connect to your contacts

    • umami_wasabi@lemmy.mlOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      It would be nice to use just one app as they are the users. Not me.

      And having a computer online the whole time because one might not present is quite a deal breaker.

      • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Yes, but I was telling you this option because you are concerned about laws that will outlaw encryption. If they come into effect, it could easily happen that only solutions like this will remain.