Telegram added 25 million new users in 72 hours while Signal collected 7.5 million downloads amid a backlash over competitor WhatsApp’s new requirement.
Consequently, Telegram amassed 500 million active users, while Signal posted a 4,200 percent user increase, according to data analytics company Sensor Tower.
WhatsApp told users last week to let parent company Facebook and its subsidiaries collect their data, such as phone numbers and locations, before Feb. 8 or lose access to the app.
The new terms triggered criticisms and raised questions on its intent.
Since the backlash, WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart clarified that the policy update describes business communication and adds transparency while assuring that the change does not impact private communications with friends or family.
WhatsApp described the privacy concerns as rumors, adding that it will continue to protect private messages with end-to-end encryption.
However, many did not appear to buy WhatsApp's explanation, triggering a switch to rival apps Telegram and Signal.
However, WhatsApp remains the world's largest messaging app with more than 2 billion users.


Sika Raises 2026 Sales Outlook After Strong First-Half Results Beat Expectations
BHP, Port Hedland Unions Fail to Reach Wage Deal as Negotiations Continue
Philips Shares Slide 10% Despite Earnings Beat as Weak Orders Raise Growth Concerns
Zabka Shares Drop 10% as Seven & i Abandons Investment Plans
Nvidia Eyes $250B Guarantee for OpenAI’s Massive Ohio AI Data Center Project
CXMT IPO Debut in Shanghai Puts $85.5 Billion Chipmaker in Spotlight
Seagate Stock Jumps as AI-Fueled Earnings Beat and Strong FY2027 Outlook Impress Investors
AstraZeneca Q2 Earnings Beat Forecasts as Oncology Growth Supports 2026 Outlook
TeamViewer Shares Fall Despite Profit Growth as ARR and Customer Base Decline
Air Liquide Q2 Sales Growth Tops Forecast as Electronics Business Drives Strong Performance
Nvidia Invests $1 Billion in Naver as South Korea AI Data Center Expansion Gains Momentum
Exosens H1 Profit Beats Forecasts as Defense Demand Drives Growth
X Challenges Australia’s Expanded Social Media Ban Enforcement Powers
Barclays Q2 Profit Beats Forecasts as Investment Banking Strength Offsets Higher Costs
Tech Stock Positioning Nears Neutral as Investor Rotation Enters Final Phase, Deutsche Bank Says
Galp Shares Fall After Q2 EBITDA Miss Despite Profit Beat and Higher Dividend
CATL Shares Jump as $5.6 Billion Buyback Signals Confidence in Long-Term Growth 



