In yet another blow to Facebook-owned instant messaging application WhatsApp, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has said that it has registered 25 million (2.5 crore) new users globally in a matter of 72 hours. Telegram has already surpassed 500 million monthly active users (MAUs).
WhatsApp users are switching to other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal over a massive controversy and concerns following WhatsApp’s new privacy policy update.
The new users who joined Telegram recently came from across the world: 38% from Asia, 27% from Europe, 21% from Latin America and 8% from Middle East and North Africa.
What Telegram CEO says?
“This is a significant increase compared to last year, when 1.5 million new users signed up every day. We’ve had surges of downloads before, throughout our 7-year history of protecting user privacy. But this time is different,” Durov said in a blog post on Tuesday.
“People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have a critical mass of users”.
With 500 million monthly active users and accelerating growth, Telegram has become the biggest refuge for those looking for a messaging platform committed to privacy and security, Durov said.
“We take this responsibility very seriously. We won’t let you down”.
Signal leads the race
The data from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm, Signal led the pack in India with more than 23 lakh new downloads between January 6 and 10, while Telegram recorded more than 16 lakh new downloads during the same period.
WhatsApp facing the heat
WhatsApp downloads dropped by 35% between January 6 and 10, with 13 lakh of new downloads. WhatsApp witnessed 20 lakh of new downloads between January 1 and 5.
