In reality this is not one app, but Skype AND Facebook Messenger AND Discord AND Zoom AND Teams AND Whatsapp AND ...
I am really glad that the EU is now requiring messenger bridging by regulation, so people don't have to install an ever-increasing number of spyware apps, just to be able to talk to their families, friends and colleagues.
You do have the freedom of software choice already.
Not on iOS (until next January when regulation kicks in)
Or buy second hand without facebook or their properties.
Or contact businesses without facebook.
In today's world it is not a real choice to avoid BigCorp platforms if you want to work and communicate with the rest of society, so society should have a right to at least set some boundaries, otherwise we are allowing BigCorps to set the boundaries for society instead.
What I like most about these new rules is that they are specifically limited to big companies, so smaller companies are not hit by too-hard-to-comply-with-for-smaller-companies regulation, but customers are protected from BigCorp overreach.
How will you find out that the person actually has Telegram if you don't refuse Facebook and WhatsApp first?
Is it actually relevant that you use the same social platform as all your friends do? Or is it actually possible to just not and still be friends?
i am anxiously waiting for the EU dma to be enforced so that finally i can use my matrix to connect to whatsapp/snap/fb/insta users who want to connect to me, right now they cant and its a bummer but i've stubbornly stuck to this.
this explains it nicely. i dont think private federation would cut it