Last Updated on February 9, 2021
Telegram has become the most downloaded non-gaming app for January surpassing WhatsApp. According to Sensor Tower, a research firm that ranks apps on the basis of downloads per month, the cloud-based messaging app was downloaded 63 million times on various platforms altogether.
The number of downloads rose by 3.8 times compared to last year’s count over the same period. January was the month when WhatsApp drew all the notoriety for its privacy policies and immediately followed by mass uninstallations. This might have had a contributed to such a massive surge in the move towards Telegram.
What is Telegram?
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app founded by Pavel Durov, a Russian entrepreneur. The app was launched for iOS on 14 August 2013 and Android in October 2013. It claims to be the fastest messaging app ahead of the pack. It has been offering services such as video calling, VoIP, file sharing, and many others.
Telegram has some unique features to offer like making a group of 200000 members, and a file size limit of 2GB.
We would like to request you to join our Telegram group.
WhatsApp’s Revised Policy Led to Telegram’s Rise
To reiterate again, WhatsApp drew all the criticisms for its revised privacy policy in January. It stated that it would be sharing its users’ data with Facebook and other third-party developers. Moreover, it also threatened to delete user accounts if they fail to comply on February 8.
However, the privacy issues discomforted the users. As a result, many uses resorted to uninstalling the app as a sign of their disapproval. Critics believe Telegram was the direct beneficiary of the fiasco as it saw an immediate surge in downloads.
No-Gaming Apps’ Charts for January
According to the stats by Sensor Tower, Telegram was the overall most downloaded non-gaming app. TikTok closely followed Telegram’s position, despite facing boycott in many countries. Signal rests at the third position while Facebook ranked at fourth. The predecessor WhatsApp has dropped to the fifth position as of now.
The rise in Telegram’s profile was hugely aided by smartphone users in India. The app enjoyed downloads of over 15 million times which amounts to the world’s 26% of total downloads.
Indonesia was the second contributor to the app’s surge in downloads. It accounted for a 10% of the download increase.
Recommended read: Internet Users Reach 4.6 billion Worldwide: Digital Data 2021
Popular video making app TikTok registered download of 62 millions worldwide for January. China and USA both contributed for 17% and 10% in the installations.
Tell us what do you think of Telegram’s surge in downloads? Will WhatsApp be able to bounce back in coming days? Do comment your opinion below.
