I mean... that's not especially unreasonable; FOSS-first is absolutely a reasonable move, and there's a whole discussion upthread about using the browser version or dialing in with an actual phone. Certainly some people are stuck, but many people can absolutely avoid this.

Not run SW is possibly last resort, or not an alternative at all. But selecting, proposing FOSS alternatives, or run it in the browser if possible are two ways of trying to make the situation better.

As others have said, Jitsi is a for many meetings a good FOSS alternative. And if that does not work, use Zoom in the browser.

Run software from vendors who have demonstrated they are trustworthy -- or, at a minimum, actively AVOID software from vendors (like Zoom) who have repeatedly demonstrated that they are NOT worthy of trust.

No alternative if the people you want to reach, or want to be reached by, are available only on a specific, closed platform.

It's a pick your poison type of situation I think. I personally run FOSS where I can, and compartmentalize the environment where I can't but I still want the benefits.

> What’s the alternative?

A desktop operating system that comes with a proper security and permission model (i.e. not a standard Linux system). Right now, QubesOS seems like the only candidate here.

I can't believe Android and iOS are now >=15 years old and Linux is still struggling with this.

For any service I want to use that has a website, I absolutely use that instead of the app.

I can close it and know it is closed.

GNU/Linux phones (Librem 5 and Pinephone), but they aren't polished yet.

Brave talk seems browser based.