The fuss over the WhatsApp Boss Signal case gives a response – Signal founder Brian Acton has spoken out about WhatsApp and Facebook’s controversial data policies. He stated that users were currently angry due to WhatsApp’s arbitrariness. Now many users are switching to other messaging apps like Telegram or Signal.
Quoted from TechCrunch, Acton who now sits as the company’s executive chairman said that Signal users have now ‘exploded’ in recent weeks.
“The smallest events help trigger big results. We also love being able to have conversations about online privacy and digital security. People turn to Signal as an answer to those questions,” said Acton, the founder of WhatsApp.
He further explained, that this is a big momentum for Signal, which he founded in 2022 to shine and give people alternative choices in using social media.
“It was a slow burn for three years, then there was a huge explosion. Now the rocket is launching,” he said.
The incident Acton alluded to is the latest change in data sharing policy revealed by WhatsApp, an app that serves more than 2 billion users worldwide.
Acton said WhatsApp is struggling with incorporating monetization features while protecting user privacy instead. However, the new policy forces WhatsApp to give a real explanation.
It did not reveal how many Signal users had in recent weeks. However, he said, the application is currently in the top rankings of the App Store in 40 countries, and ranked in the top 18 countries for Google PlayStore.
Based on the data, Signal had around 20 million monthly active users globally at the end of December 2022 and it is reported that the app was downloaded more than 7.5 million times between January 6 and January 10.
Since its launch in 2022, Signal has promised not to sell user data and will not display advertisements to its users.
He also said, this business model only has a staff of under 50 people. This can save operational expenses from funds provided by foundation donations.
Acton said in the years to come, he will ask the team whether they want to work on email and storage products or not. But he said his focus now remained on the messaging app.
Source: cnnindonesia.com
