I don’t like WhatsApp, but some people simply refuse to use anything else (“better”) and the web clients can bridge the gap but it’s extremely annoying not being able to answer a call with a person you are texting
Easy, I don't talk to such people. They can have my email or phone number if truly necessary. Yes, same for family or work, just not using Meta products for communication. Surprisingly enough people do understand.
OK provocation aside yes, you actually have to stand for what you believe in. For some people it means not going to a meat restaurants, for others, like me, it means not accepting a WhatsApp chat or a Google Drive share. You also do that but because it's either so ingrained or socially accepted you do not even notice anymore. Your standards are definitely not mine but if neither of us do push back, then we as a society go backward IMHO (even knowing my standards are not yours, assuming at least some of us do think and act based on new knowledge rather than random beliefs). So... yes it means my circle of acquaintances is not the most inclusive but I do accept boundaries and if it means someone is toxic according to my perspective, they are out, simple.
PS: you actually have no idea what my social life is. You literally can not judge if it's "richer" or "poorer" than anyone else.
But please tell your contacts that you're using bridges, if you haven't already.
You are effectively giving away encryption keys to a third party, since those messages need to be decrypted and re-encrypted mid-transit.
Everyone who is part of the chats you use bridges with deserves to know about that fact, at least.