WhatsApp has experienced a sudden drop in new downloads amid a major surge in popularity for rival messaging apps like Signal and Telegram, according to the latest figures.
Downloads fell by more than 2 million between 5-12 January compared to the previous week, shrinking to 10.6 million.
This is now less than both Signal and Telegram, which saw 17.8 million and 15.7 million downloads respectively during the same time period, data from app analytics firm Sensor Tower revealed.
The dwindling demand for the Facebook-owned app follows widespread dissatisfaction with how it treats user data.
A pop-up message sent to its 2 billion users asked them to accept the Terms of Service for its privacy policy before 8 February, or else lose access to the app.
The exodus has panicked WhatsApp, who took out full-page adverts in India’s newspapers this week asking users not to leave.
