Phone & Video Platforms: Notes & Options
Video Platforms:
Seeing faces can be a precious connection. In these tenuous panny-d times, video call seems to be a fairly solid compromise between health and connection.
When it comes to video platforms, I currently offer two options (and keep my eyes peeled for better options): Zoom and Doxy. Both of them are free to use and offer end-to-end encryption, as far as the company pages and employees communicate.
Sometimes the primary platform we use might not work on the day of our meeting. So far it’s been valuable to offer an alternate option (it’s been rare that both platforms are out of commission at the same time).
I like options. Perhaps you’re more familiar and comfortable with one platform than another, or maybe you have preferences about some privacy and security features. Different platforms can vary in the tools and capabilities they offer, and there might be certain features that would make our work that much more valuable or accessible for you.
Between Phone & Video:
Speaking of the backups to the Zoom and Doxy platforms, my work phone is an iPhone and through it I have access to a couple of apps that offer relatively secure text messaging, audio call, and video call capabilities.
FaceTime video call (for Mac/Apple users)
Signal messaging, audio, and video call (for anyone who has the app)
Phone:
As I mentioned above, I do have a work phone which makes it possible for us to connect via a simple phone call. Some considerations around phone calls include:
Depending on what might be safest for you, I can contact you though a blocked number or a known number;
Phone call data is not stored on servers like digital call platforms can be;
Reception/quality of call can be more reliable and consistent than Internet access;
For those who have access to a cellular phone, there is always the option to go for a walk during the conversation.
What is the safest? How does this work?
This is a challenging question to answer because it requires an acknowledgement of nuance, as each platform and modality has their own particular balance of benefits and drawbacks.
While platform familiarity, features, accessibility, and consistency are among the categories that I attend to when balancing the drawbacks and benefits, a more important factor in this practice is to do with the safety and security of your information.
When navigating digital platforms (i.e., email, Zoom, Doxy, FaceTime, Signal, etc.), it is important to note that the majority of platforms we use have servers in the United States and abroad. As such, the information stored servers abroad can be subject to the server host country’s laws. Of particular interest is the Patriot Act in the U.S.A. and the data stored on U.S. servers.
Given that my range of digital skills is limited to being savvy enough as a consumer to navigate platforms but little beyond that, I cannot say with integrity that our digital information is definitively safe. However, to ensure that our collective digital information and trails are as secure as I can make them, I do my best to offer services only through platforms that offer end-to-end encryption. To this end, I do my best to keep up to date on any changes and developments around security and accessibility of digital platforms so that I can continue to offer the best options and services to my community.
As we are speaking of digital security, my work email (emily@stonefruitcounselling.com) is hosted by Protonmail which uses Swiss servers and end-to-end encryption.
I hope that the above might offer you at least some valuable information as an overview, though I know that (in spite of the length) the information is still not an exhaustive outline.
As a note, this page was definitely lifted and altered with full permission from eesaljacounselling.com: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right Ev?