I think that using GrapheneOS is always a security enhancement. As for your case I would recommend to install these two apps in a separate user profile. On the one hand this gives you certainty that they don't mess about unless you open the profile. On the other hand you can offer them a dedicated phonebook in that profile which contains only the numbers the apps need instead of all your contacts.
Privacy with WhatsApp and Uber?
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Additionally, at least try to use Signal to communicate. It provides the same features as WhatsApp with additional privacy protecting measurements (basically WhatsApp without all the spying). It doesn't need to replace it outright but at least being available on it is a good move.
phrentic Re: Uber, you can use it in a browser... It kind of sucks but works for riders.
DeletedUser115 +1 I use Uber / Lyft as progressive web apps and haven't had any issue
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There is little privacy to WhatsApp messaging service. Your conversations are encrypted, but the rest of the metadata is available to Facebook, authorities, data brokers, etc. Pen & trance order for WhatsApp reveals your contacts list, who you contact, when, phone battery level, and enough of other metadata to profile and geofence you. WhatsApp pen & trace order provides live data on you. GrapheneOS and/or VPN help in prevening leaks of information that aren't supposed to be there by design/regulation/standard, but they can't do much about services that are allowed to provide whichever data about you based on their privacy policies.
Use Signal.
OpenSource-Ghost Yes, I use signal too.
Unfortunately, some groups I maintain contact with & overseas family members only know of whatsapp. It's really frustrating how big tech traps us, whether people not caring about data privacy, or convenience, or network effects (not enough people on other services), or believing there are no viable alternatives. (Sorry, going off topic).
Sorry to reply to an old thread but can you provide any more details about WhatsApp privacy or any links for me to do further reading? I’m surprised to learn it’s so bad from a privacy standpoint and use it pretty regularly with non signal friends as I assumed it is better than normal sms…
GrapheneOS provides you a trustworthy environment and app sandbox to use the permission settings of each app to limit spying capacities.
adelina Uber still makes calls in the background to google ads and other data collectors. You can block all permissions but of course need internet enabled, so theyll still be collecting all this