In europe literally everybody uses whatsapp you wont be able to do anything without it (docotrs, food delivery, literally every person like friends and familly, corona test results, company customer support, the list goes on)
That's grossly exaggerated. I live in western Europe and never once used WhatsApp. There are very occasional frictions, like people being surprised I don't have it. Then when I explain that it's operated by Facebook, they are also surprised and sometimes are willing to quit themselves.
Friends and family, sure But in the UK nothing official is using WhatsApp. It's all SMS or email. In which countries do companies use WhatsApp for customer support?
Also all of South America. Everything from ordering pizza to scheduling a doctor's appointment. Not having WhatsApp means you are not able to participate in society
There's a lot of little things like that, that are very different here and we just take for granted without thinking twice. I'm in Argentina and have noticed a ton of stuff like this.
A random example is there's a handle next to the stove where you close the gas line when it's not in use. They don't just have an always on supply of naturals gas ready to leak from the burner if you accidentally twist the knob.
Another one is the freezer will seal itself shut for about 15 seconds after being opened. I thought it was broken the first time I experienced this and tried forcing it open.
Not only everybody, but companies, banks and goverment instances are using it too. Some apps that sends their OTP via WhatsApp. Some companies and instances only reachable.via whatsapp bot and whatnot.
The people I most care for use Discord. I worry I will lose constant with most of them if I stop using that too but I've never tried to get other to use something else.