[Helmut10001]

Use mautrix-whatsapp [1] on a home server to bridge Matrix chat to WhatsApp and (optionally) add a dedicated VoIP phone number for WhatApp.

Allows you to connect to/chat with WhatApp users using Matrix/Element.

[1]: https://github.com/mautrix/whatsapp

[nisegami]

Not GP commenter, but I suspect you're mistaking a functional issue (not wanting to use Whatsapp's applications) from a moral issue (not wanting to use the Whatsapp platform).

[Helmut10001]

Somewhat you are right - but it is difficult to differentiate between the two: I don't want to use Whatsapp for moral issues, but I also a) don't want to loose connections to people who still use the platform and b) I don't believe in actiely convincing peole of anything. They have to reach these conclusions themselves - until then, I can choose mautrix to stay connected, limiting my interaction with the platform to the bare minimum.

[lucasverra]

how to ping you to know a bit more of that experience ?

[chagaif]

I have also been using this for nearly a year now, you can reach me at https://chagai.website