Facebook may have just added the final straw that breaks the camel’s back with its new data sharing policy with WhatsApp leading to other social media apps getting more attention now.
On 4 January 2021, WhatsApp updated its privacy policy. The new policy mandates that users must agree to it sharing their personal info with Facebook. Otherwise, they should delete and stop using the service.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook may have gotten away with many of this in the past. But it seems users are drawing the line as the privacy battle steps into WhatsApp territory.
Now, Signal is getting most of the attention. The Signal app describes itself as a ‘private messenger’ and promises users that their data is safe.
Unlike WhatsApp that states that it will only respect the private data of people living in the European region, Signal says its respect is for everyone.
On Google Play Store, Signal app currently has 10 million downloads but the number is increasing. Since 2010 that the service has been existing, it has not seen this much traffic and influx of new users.
The company said on its Twitter page, “many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement).” It explained that this is why verification codes are delayed across providers.
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The good news is that new Signal users will soon be able to enjoy the service seamlessly as it is working with carriers to resolve emerging problem.
As of Saturday, 9 January 2021, Signal app topped Apple App store in India, Germany, France, Austria, Finland, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. It went to the top spot in the UK the next day and Australia.
Predictably, the app is on course to the App Store downloads in Nigeria as well. Signal’s stock also went up by about 70% in a matter of days. The company, however, does not sell ads like other traditional apps. How then does Signal make money?
Here is how the company responded to the question:
We are a 501c3 nonprofit. Development is supported by grants and donations from Signal users.https://t.co/iLLStll3Mi
— Signal (@signalapp) January 10, 2021
Even Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted about Signal and its growing popularity. World’s richest man Elon Musk also supported Signal. It remains to be seen if this is the end for WhatsApp or if users will continue to use the app regardless of its controversial data mining.
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