Why does the church only use Google and Facebook for missionaries.

I'm concerned about the limited communication options available to my son while he's on a mission-currently only Gmail and FacebookMessenger. Both services raise serious privacy and security questions, and I'm uncomfortable installing Messenger on either of our phones just to stay in touch.

Many people accept the trade-off of handing over personal data to large tech companies, but I believe we should at least have the choice to use tools that protect our communications.

I would prefer the church use more privacy-focused services that provide end-to-end encryption by default and do not scrape or sell users' information.

One possible solution is to improve and use the church's official Circles app for communication. They could adopt something similar to Jitsi as a backend for video calls.

It's unfortunate that many people are so carefree about their privacy.

I agree with your concerns, though I don't have a missionary out or preparing. Because this is a user-to-user discussion forum, nobody with decision-making authority is likely to ever see your post. Please use the Feedback link or button on a relevant app or on the Church website, and/or please discussion your concerns with your stake president and ask him to forward your concerns up his chain of command.

Glennjammin wrote: Thu Oct 09, 2025 9:17 am I'm concerned about the limited communication options available to my son while he's on a mission-currently only Gmail and FacebookMessenger. Both services raise serious privacy and security questions, and I'm uncomfortable installing Messenger on either of our phones just to stay in touch.

I've had this same concern. There are many better alternatives out there. Besides the ones you mentioned above, there's also Zoom and Cisco WebEX (though I've not been able to get that one to work because I think the software on the missionary phones blocks it). Skype used to be an option but Skype went under. So are Zoom or Cisco WebEX alright for you because they are still supported (by that I mean permitted by the Missionary Department) I believe.

Of course, is Zoom any better than those you mentioned above? Maybe, maybe not. I would much rather be able to choose ones that I'm comfortable with. Getting an exception is a non-starter unfortunately. I asked my missionary's mission president if they would permit software that I prefer to use and which I know works on missionary phones if it were permitted, but it hasn't gone anywhere.

Many people accept the trade-off of handing over personal data to large tech companies, but I believe we should at least have the choice to use tools that protect our communications.

I agree with you on this.

I believe FB Messenger is now end-to-end encrypted.

dufresne wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 8:43 pm I believe FB Messenger is now end-to-end encrypted.

It is if you are one on one. But not in a group message.