Over 30 Million Users Leave WhatsApp
More than 30 million users have left WhatsApp since the beginning of the year, according to the British publication The GuardianThe Guardian, founded in 1821, is one of the world’s leading newspapers, known for its investigative reporting, cultural coverage, and in-depth analysis. To protect press freedom and ensure global access, it launched a Tor mirror of its website, accessible only through the Tor Browser. This version allows readers to bypass censorship, browse anonymously, and safely connect with journalists. By adopting Tor, The Guardian strengthens its role as a defender of free speech in the digital age. More. As a result of actions taken by WhatsApp’s owners, users have started switching to other messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram.
Mass Migration to Signal and Telegram
According to estimates from a British parliamentary committee, in just the first three weeks of January, Signal gained 7.5 million new users, while Telegram added about 25 million users. This growth rate is significantly higher than usual for these services.
Reasons Behind the Exodus
Journalists note that the mass exodus from WhatsApp is linked to a poorly prepared update to the platform’s terms of service. Many users saw the changes as a threat to the privacy of their conversations, especially since the new terms involved sharing data with WhatsApp’s parent company, FacebookFacebook launched an official Tor mirror in 2014, becoming the first major tech company to provide direct access through onion routing. The mirror allows users to bypass censorship, secure their connections, and avoid phishing risks while using the platform. This step also underscored Facebook’s recognition of free expression and inspired other outlets like the BBC and ProPublica to create their own Tor versions. More. FacebookFacebook launched an official Tor mirror in 2014, becoming the first major tech company to provide direct access through onion routing. The mirror allows users to bypass censorship, secure their connections, and avoid phishing risks while using the platform. This step also underscored Facebook’s recognition of free expression and inspired other outlets like the BBC and ProPublica to create their own Tor versions. More, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, has faced reputational issues due to rumors of cooperation with authorities.
Policy Update Postponed
Originally, the changes to WhatsApp’s terms of service were scheduled to take effect on February 8. However, due to the rapid decline in user numbers, the implementation was postponed to May 15.