[beckman466]

> I agree with your comment completely, but isn't this a bit a bit of an exaggeration?

No. Many global south countries like Brazil use WhatsApp instead of sms, and not being able to control what information you push out is therefore dangerous. As someone else wrote in this sub, you don’t need to first ‘friend’ or link with someone on WhatsApp before they can see all your info (like how often and how long someone is online). Stalking and stalkers are more prevalent than you think. Nevermind that the situation is also different depending on your gender (women are stalked and victims of violence more than men).

Also I think a few people here seem really concerned with whether its an SMS or an IM service, but I think that doesn’t matter when you ask instead what’s affordable and accessible to the average person in the global south. I think you’ll find that sms and calls are usually luxuries reserved for the tiny minority in power).

[guenthert]

> women are stalked and victims of violence more than men

This is going to be a bit off-topic now, but I'd say by violence above only physical violence is meant. If verbal and psychological abuse is included, the balance isn't quite so obvious.