ICT regulators across the globe are very hard on messaging services that do not have a solid record-keeping service related to the use of encrypted messaging platforms.
The issue has also been highlighted in recent times, including fines levied on apps that have failed to do so. Services such as WhatsApp are among the most used chat apps in the world.
Signal is also being used by the security-conscious, but just the other day, it emerged that there was a phishing campaign targeting the communications giant Twilio, which then compromised the data of nearly 2,000 Signal users.
Signal, WhatsApp & Telegram: Why You Should Continue Using Encrypted Messaging Apps
However, how have these apps been used or downloaded over the last couple of days? Well, here is an assessment that has been rounded up:
30-Day Overview of WhatsApp and Signal
WhatsApp Messenger by Meta
30-day Android Downloads: 62,673,289
30-day iOS Downloads: 21,941,241
Signal by Signal Foundation
30-day Android Downloads: 4,034,148
30-day iOS Downloads: 1,535,242
WhatsApp Download Trends in 2022
Above you’ll find daily global downloads for the Android (green) and iOS (red) versions of WhatsApp. These downloads are from the period between January 1st and August 17th, 2022.
In total, WhatsApp has been downloaded 566,486,589 times globally since the beginning of 2022.
Android: 489,106,219 downloads
iOS: 77,380,370 downloads
Signal Download Trends in 2022
Just like the previous chart, here you’ll find daily global downloads for the Android (blue) and iOS (orange) versions of Signal. These downloads are from the period between January 1st and August 17th, 2022.
In total, Signal has been downloaded 34,325,185 times globally since the beginning of 2022.
Android: 19,882,290 downloads
iOS: 14,442,895 downloads
Generally speaking, the response has been muted, to say the least. This means that users don’t seem to care at all. Both WhatsApp and Signal continue to perform well and current download trends are well in line with historical performance.
While Signal may lose a modicum of user confidence, the fault ultimately lies with Twilio and the breach may simply have been too small to register on most people’s radars.
The far bigger story is the one relating to regulatory action in the U.S. So far, the only major player to get hit is JPMorgan, but it appears Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC may not be far behind.
Lastly, while WhatsApp is the name everyone is currently talking about, there’s no reason to believe Signal, WeChat, and Telegram will get a pass from regulators. Indeed, there may be a reckoning coming for encrypted messaging apps, especially as it pertains to their use in enterprise environments.
