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GUANGZHOU, China – Downloads of privacy-focused messaging apps Signal and Telegram got a boost when users searched for alternatives to WhatsApp owned by Facebook due to concerns about changes to the service’s privacy policy.
Between January 6 and January 10, Signal saw approximately 7.5 million installs worldwide via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, according to Sensor Tower. That is 43 times the number of the previous week. It’s the highest weekly or even monthly installation number for Signal in the app’s history.
Meanwhile, Telegram saw 5.6 million downloads worldwide from Wednesday through Sunday, according to Apptopia.
Signal claims to have “state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption” as part of its service, which prevents messages from being read by those who are not the intended recipient.
The increase in downloads of these two apps comes after WhatsApp released an update to its privacy policy on January 4. WhatsApp has been sharing certain data with Facebook since 2016. But users previously had the opportunity to opt out.
However, as of February 8, the app will prompt users to accept the updated terms and conditions to continue using WhatsApp. Users in Europe and the UK will see a different notice due to the data protection rules in those jurisdictions.
WhatsApp messages are encrypted, which means that Facebook cannot see their content. But WhatsApp collects a lot of other data that can be shared with the parent company.
This information includes information about account registration such as your phone number, transaction information, service-related information, information about how you interact with others, including companies when you use the service, and information about mobile devices.
In a statement on Monday, WhatsApp said that this update will not affect the privacy of messages sent to friends and family. It clarified that the update will “include changes to how we send messages to a business on WhatsApp, which is optional and provides more transparency on how we collect and use data.”
WhatsApp says the data shared with Facebook is used to improve infrastructure, promote safety and security, and refine services by making suggestions or personalizing features and content. This can also include integration between Facebook brand products and WhatsApp.
Following the announcement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk last week urged his Twitter followers to “use Signal.”
Signal last week reported that verification codes sent to users via SMS to start using the app had been delayed due to high demand. Signal said it has added additional servers to handle the influx of new users.
“We will continue to shatter traffic records and add capacity as more and more people realize they hate Facebook’s new terms,” Signal said in a tweet. “If you haven’t been able to create a new group recently, please try again. New servers are ready to serve you.”
Despite the surge in Signal and Telegram downloads, WhatsApp has not seen a drop, according to Adam Blacker, vice president of Insights at Apptopia.
“It’s too ingrained. I suspect there is a very small number of people using WhatsApp on a daily basis who have recently removed it,” Blacker told CNBC by email.
“Even those who download and use Signal or Telegram will continue to use WhatsApp because that’s where most of their friends and family are. They may start talking to certain people on Signal, but still chat with their mom on WhatsApp.”