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GUANGZHOU, China – Downloads of Signal and Telegram-focused messaging apps gained momentum as users searched for alternatives to Facebook’s WhatsApp due to concerns about changes to the service’s privacy policy.
Signal recorded approximately 7.5 million installations globally through the Apple App Store and Google Play store between January 6 and January 10, according to Sensor Tower. It is 43 times higher than the previous week. It is the largest weekly or even monthly installation number for Signal in the application history.
Meanwhile, Telegram recorded 5.6 million global downloads from Wednesday to Sunday, according to Apptopia.
Signal claims to have “end-to-end encryption” as part of its service, which prevents messages from being read by non-recipients.
The increase in the number of downloads of these two applications comes after WhatsApp launched an update of its privacy policy on January 4. Since 2016, WhatsApp has shared some data with Facebook. But users have previously had the chance to give it up.
But starting February 8, users will be asked in the app to accept the updated terms to continue using WhatsApp. Users in Europe and the UK will see a different message because of the data protection rules in those jurisdictions.
However, WhatsApp messages are encrypted, which means that Facebook will not be able to see their content. But WhatsApp collects a lot of other data that can be shared with the parent company.
This data includes account registration information, such as your phone number, transaction data, service information, information about how you interact with others, including businesses when you use the service, and information about your mobile device.
In a statement on Monday, WhatsApp said that this update does not affect the privacy of messages sent to friends and family. He clarified that the update will include “changes related to sending messages to a company on WhatsApp, which is optional, and provides additional transparency on how we collect and use data.”
WhatsApp says data shared with Facebook is used to help improve infrastructure, promote safety and security, and refine services by making suggestions or customizing features and content. It could also include integration between Facebook and WhatsApp branded products.
Following the announcement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk last week urged his followers on Twitter to “use Signal.”
The signal reported last week that verification codes sent to users via text message to start using the app have been delayed due to high demand. Signal said it has added additional servers to cope with the influx of new users.
“We continue to destroy traffic records and add capacity as more and more people come to terms with how much they don’t like Facebook’s new terms,” Signal said in a tweet. “If you were unable to create a new group recently, please try again. The new servers are ready to serve you.”
Despite the increase in the number of Signal and Telegram downloads, WhatsApp has not decreased, according to Adam Blacker, vice president of information at Apptopia.
“It’s too ingrained. I think there are a very small number of people who use WhatsApp on a daily basis who have recently deleted it,” Blacker told CNBC via email.
“Even those who download and use Signal or Telegram will continue to use WhatsApp because this is where most of their friends and family are. They may start talking to certain people on Signal, but still talk to their mother on WhatsApp. “