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- Encrypted messaging app Signal’s downloads have surged as competitor WhatsApp makes controversial changes to its privacy policy
- Users could now have data relating to their IP addresses, contacts and messages share with third-party services or Whatsapp’s parent company, Facebook
- Fuelled by endorsements by Edward Snowden and Elon Musk, downloads of competing end to end encryption app Signal reached 4.6 million in a matter of days
- WhatsApp downloads dropped to 10.6 million, down from 12.7 million the week prior
- WhatsApp’s Chief Executive Officer attempted to reassure users advising the update concerns business communication and won’t change WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices with Facebook
Encrypted messaging app Signal’s downloads have surged as competitor WhatsApp makes controversial changes to its privacy policy.
WhatsApp users have been hit with a new privacy services agreement over the past week, advising that the Facebook-owned messaging service is “updating its terms and privacy policy,” and users will need to agree to the changes if they wish to continue using the app.
The details of the changes have sparked some controversy among users and public figures, revealing that WhatsApp will have the right to share data pertaining to user’s IP addresses, contacts and messages.
“If you interact with a third-party service or another Facebook company product linked through our services, such as when you use the in-app player to play content from a third-party platform, information about you, like your IP address and the fact that you are a WhatsApp user, may be provided to such third party or Facebook company product,” the statement reads.
It adds that information is used to “operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our services.”
Spurred on by endorsements from the likes of Edward Snowden and Elon Musk, a mass WhatsApp exodus followed, as users flocked to download competing end-to-end encryption app, Signal.
That's @signalapp, for those who don't speak Elon. https://t.co/NA1PV9FN1o
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 7, 2021
According to figures from Appfigures, Signal was averaging 25,000 downloads a day before tweets from Edward Snowden and Elon Musk were posted on January 7.
In the three days following, Signal downloads spiked to 4.6 million.
WhatsApp downloads, however, dropped to 10.6 million, down from 12.7 million the week prior.
The sheer volume of new users even caused a delay in the delivery of verification codes.
Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.
— Signal (@signalapp) January 7, 2021
WhatsApp Chief Executive Officer, Will Cathcart, attempted to provide some clarity on the matter, explaining the changes related to business communication.
“It’s important for us to be clear this update describes business communication and does not change WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices with Facebook,” he tweeted.
“It does not impact how people communicate privately with friends or family wherever they are in the world.”
Despite the surge in Signal users, WhatsApp still has a whopping two billion users across the globe.
In a coincidental turn of events, eager investors pumped up the share price of small-cap healthcare company Signal Advance (SIGL) up by just over US$30, perhaps mistaking Elon’s endorsement on the messaging app for a stock tip.
SIGL shares rocketed from US$7.39 to US$38 as a result, but have since levelled off.
WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $21.8 billion.
