Matrix[1] is trying to solve that issue, I'd highly recommend looking into it. I actually pipe most of my various "chat" networks (including WhatsApp) into it via bridges[2].
As you said, we in Europe are kind of forced to have WA installed, but at least you don't have to use it as your primary client if you don't want to. You can even deploy it to an Android VM and go completely headless, if you feel the need.
As you said, we in Europe are kind of forced to have WA installed, but at least you don't have to use it as your primary client if you don't want to. You can even deploy it to an Android VM and go completely headless, if you feel the need.
[1] https://matrix.org/
[2] https://matrix.org/bridges/