Whatsapp

[boxtops]

Hi all

I've been recommended to download WhatsApp to my phone, for free texting across wifi - both in UK and abroad. I don't know it, and I've just disabled Facebook Messenger from my phone because of its highly intrusive background activities (which you don't initiate, FM just does it) - I'm concerned that because WA is a messenger service, this might have the same intrusive entitlements if I download it.

Any thoughts from those who know this app, please?

[pixie373]

No problem with it. My children use it a lot as it is free. Sometimes they do take a long time to come through- perhaps depending on connection. No intrusion at all, though.

[237SJ]

I downloaded it but never use it. I seem to remember that when you go on it, it shows all the other contacts from your phone book who are on it. I never use it and prefer to email when i have free wi fi as people are more likely to see emails. I think I`ve deleted it.

[ummmm]

It's just the same as texting but the person you're messaging has to have whatsapp too.

[pastafreak]

I have it ...daughter recommended it for when she's out of UK. We use it a fair amount with no problems.

[THECORBYLOON]

I use it and it is free for the first twelve months and then it's 69p for the next year or you can pay for three or five years and get a discount.

[Negomi]

My evening class group uses it a lot, its been really good for us all to discuss the course or anything else. When you join it accesses your contacts, not sure if it just tells you if they are on whatsapp or tells them you are. Only problem I had was downloading update, needed more space (on samsung).

[Daffy6543]

I wouldn't use it, or any of the other free messaging apps. I just had to disable FM as well because after only one use I could see it was intrusive, it also explains why my phone battery has been running down faster than usual.

[Brinjal]

I use it all the time much cheaper than SMS especially overseas. No problems with intrusions at all.

[flobadob]

If you read the install notes of many of the apps you install you'll be horrified at the permissions which you've allowed them. Though I'm not sure that any of them act upon these permissions.

[boxtops]

Thanks all - it was the permissions on FM which appalled me, and my friend found the app taking photographs while she wasn't even using the phone! Good point too, that all involved in the conversation need to be signed up to the WA app - that might be the drawback for me, we'd need to set it up.

[ichkeria]

I use Facebook Messenger all the time and don't have a problem with it privacy-wise. I suspect there are a lot of unfounded rumours connected with it.
Facebook on an iPhone is rubbish mind you but that is another story

[Henrietta]

Boxtops how did your friend know that the app took pictures and this wasn't a phone malfunction as I would have thought that the pics and sound would be taken covertly and the files sent to somewhere without the device owners knowledge.

[boxtops]

The phone was open on her desk beside her, henrietta, and she heard the shutter activating - it just took photos. This is the information I was sent which led me to take it off my phone - scroll down to the Camera paragraph :-( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-fiorella/the-insidiousness-of-face_b_4365645.html

[flobadob]

Boxy, you know that permission can mean that if you want to take a picture to share on Facebook then you can do it quicker if Facebook can open the camera or have access to the picture you are sharing. I doubt that Facebook will be taking random pictures willy nilly for no reason.

[boxtops]

Yes, I do, flob. I can only relate what happened to my friend about a picture being taken without her doing anything.

[HansUrbancka]

@boxtops.....I have put a reply to you on the other thread which is running on this subject.:-

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Question1362231.html

Hans.

[anotheoldgit]

Whatsapp is great for sending picture messages to others who also have Watsapp, they are free.

[Varinderkaundal]

Whatsapp is app for sending text , picture messages , Vedio , Music to others who also have Watsapp, Its free who has Whatsapp and Internet.

[anjlegs]

I use what's app all the time , I love it . It tells you when a message has gone and when the recipient has read it . You can set up group chats on it , saves sending the same message to numerous people , very handy when trying to organise things .