Using WhatsApp without shelter?

[Demian]

Hi, i live in Ecuador where 99% of communication with people and businesses works with WhatsApp. Not using it is not an option without paying an enormous price in time and convenience.

I have seen the discussion about using shelter in order to prevent WhatsApp (Meta) to have access on all my contact data.

My question: What else does WhatsApp steal of my data? Can I run WhatsApp without shelter and just manage consciously which data are found in my contacts?

Thanks Demian
PS: I am not tech savy and would like to avoid all unnecessary tech pit falls.

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/ the unGoogled mobile OS and online services

[obacht]

Maybe this is of some help:

Whatsapp Web to go

Morning people, I installed an F-droid app via App Lounge: Whatsapp Web To Go. A somewhat more private way to use Whatapp on my phone instead of the actual app. Maybe it is my brain freez but how do I actually get this to work when the WWTG app is asking to scan the QR code on the same phone,…? Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/ the unGoogled mobile OS and online services[phone]

It is about this app:
https://www.f-droid.org/packages/io.kuenzler.whatsappwebtogo/

You may ask for help or more details on how to set it up in the above linked thread… Good luck!