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Wanna talk about how the WhatsApp client on macOS (and probably also Windows) by default shows your webcam on screen if someone videocalls you? That way if you are sharing your screen and someone happens to call you, everyone will be able to suddenly see you without warnings.

For me is such an enormous privacy violation that I removed the client (which is also a memory hog) and now use only the browser version.



>now use only the browser version.

That is a great idea. But can you delete the app from your phone once connected to the web browser?


The phone has to check in with WhatsApp every 2 weeks for any linked devices to keep working.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/579413796526134/


Definitely not, but I was referring to the macOS version. AFAIK you always need to have the app installed on some phone that is connected to the internet but things may have changed since I last checked. It doesn't bother me much on phone since i have never shared the screen but on computers is a real concern.


I believe so. Although you may need to periodically reinstall to reauth.


Install Whatsapp on a virtual android on your computer?


Can virtual Android simulate your phone number?


It doesn't need to.

The WhatsApp authentication SMS message can be sent to your (real) phone, and then manually transcribe the auth code into WhatsApp on the Android VM.

I did this for a while.




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