Corporate socialism. What a loaded phrase. I can't wait to use it in different connotations to bring more attention to the flip flopping of perspectives on fiscal policy between individual and corporate.
I wish. Status has even less adoption and dev support. If I have bugs on signal for MMS with my carrier, I presume any smaller niche messenger will be tougher to have loved ones adopt and will have even more bugs.
Can't use SMS/MMS with people internationally who do not have an international mobile plan. If they also do not have a <insert other mutual account> then WhatsApp is the next option short of email.
Maybe I am misunderstanding something, but I feel this could be a major privacy negative if this means all platforms require identification verification (i.e all sites with an account require a cell phone number or address etc.). Currently, I can post to reddit or hackernews without my profile saying who I am or who I work for.
Of course anonymity provides an environment prone to misinformation and exploitation, at the same time, so having verification on a case by case (site by site) basis would be my vote.