Choosing WhatsApp, Signal, or other for Neighborhood Watch

[ansel12]

I formed a Neighborhood Watch group and now need a messaging app.

The police rep. mentioned WhatsApp but supposedly some people are moving away from it to Signal.

Not knowing anything about social media I need some advice, our group already has Facebook which I don't have, don't do, and can't even seem to get, and someone else handles that Facebook account and it isn't used much by them I'm told.

My first instinct is to use Signal, but I'm really in the dark about these things and once I sign-up someone else will be doing the mass communications on it, any input on this kind of thing is appreciated, thanks.

[FateAmenableToChange]

I don’t know about WhatsApp other than I think it’s connected to Facebook.

Signal, OTOH, has both encryption and the ability to set messages to delete after a certain amount of time — e.g., messages disappear automatically and are theoretically not recoverable when they are more than 1 hour, 1 day, 4 days, 1 week, 1 month old, whatever.

As others have said, though, nothing stops someone from looking over your shoulder or one of your neighbors taking screen shots of Signal messages.

[ansel12]

What is regular chat, and why would a WhatsApp-type app have been suggested?

Is regular chat texting?

[Falconspeed]

Signal, because privacy is good.

[Openurmind]

“it seems that might encourage some more timid members to post something they aren’t certain about.”

I would think one would want a record of all communications for the authorities to review. Time stamps, sightings in what areas, descriptions, Etc. This would be very important evidence for them to use in an investigation and case against someone.

[ansel12]

I dread having to learn all this so that I can instruct other users how to, and your suggestion will be made part of the instruction, about limiting the use of the self-destruct.

[Organic Panic]

“Regular chat” like the one that is installed with the phone when you buy it. Not sure what Apple calls it but on my google phone it is simply called “messaging.” Every phone has it installed and the people you are wanting to keep in touch with won’t have to download, install, and get an account to use whatsapp or signal.

[goodnesswins]

I have been thinking of starting a similar group..using texting...but that seemst limit viewing unless things get passed on...but, maybe that is good...or I could put together a group addy?

[ansel12]

I just downloaded Signal and set up a ‘group’ and have no idea how this stuff works, but assume that the other people who use smartphones, Facebook, etc, can get it going and make it work, all I have to do is get the info to them and let them start interacting with each other.

[Mozzafiato]

I would think one would want a record of all communications for the authorities to review. Time stamps, sightings in what areas, descriptions, Etc. This would be very important evidence for them to use in an investigation and case against someone.

Well, this could work both ways. Say you neighbor on patrol texts “Hal, there is this suspicious looking guy pacing outside your house, you might want to check it out. He looks to be Hispanic or maybe a light-skinned black guy”. Well now an innocent comment can turn into a racial targeting incident in the hands of the authorities if something goes south in that encounter. That’s why you want the encryption and auto-deleting messages in Signal, which can be toggled on or off.