Signal after WhatsApp's privacy update
Trend & aesthetic · 2021
Signal gained an estimated 50.6M January installs after a WhatsApp privacy backlash.
Mike Butcher, Editor, Pathfounders.com
@mikebutcher · Jan 6, 2021
WhatsApp will share its users' personal information, including phone numbers, IP addresses, contacts, & more with Facebook from Feb. 8, according to the new T&Cs. No opt-out. The only way to object is to leave the service & move to a service like Signal or Telegram.
The Register@TheRegister
If you're a WhatsApp user, you'll have to share your personal data with Facebook from next month – and no, you can'… reg.cx/3Y9q
Signal
@signalapp · Jan 7, 2021
Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.
Signal
@signalapp · Jan 8, 2021
Is this what stock analysts mean when they say that the market is giving mixed Signals? It's understandable that people want to invest in Signal's record growth, but this isn't us. We're an independent 501c3 and our only investment is in your privacy.
Signal
@signalapp · Jan 10, 2021
We continue to shatter traffic records and add capacity as more and more people come to terms with how much they dislike Facebook's new terms. If you weren't able to create a new group recently, please try again. New servers are ready to serve you.
Signal
@signalapp · Jan 17, 2021
Signal is back! Like an underdog going through a training montage, we’ve learned a lot since yesterday — and we did it together. Thanks to the millions of new Signal users around the world for your patience. Your capacity for understanding inspired us while we expanded capacity.
Edward Snowden
@Snowden · Jan 7, 2021
That's @signalapp, for those who don't speak Elon.
Elon Musk@elonmusk
Use Signal
Spread Score
How it worksNumbers
- January global first-time installs; Sensor Tower estimate
- 50.6M
- As of Jan 31, 2021 · App stores · Sensor Tower
- Peak proxy date
- Week of Jan 17, 2021
- Jan 6 ’21 to Week of Jan 17, 2021
- Platforms
- 5
- Started on X
- Origin
- Organic
- Technology
How it spread
Trace the originWhatsApp's terms notice prompted public calls to switch. Musk endorsed Signal, which topped app charts and struggled with signups and an outage. January daily-download estimates placed the high in mid-month; adoption slowed afterward.
Proxy date; not a directly measured attention peak. Some dates are known only to the week, month or year.
Timeline (16)
January 2021
WhatsApp precursor · Jan 6 ’21
WhatsApp sent users a notice requiring acceptance of updated terms by February 8.[1]
@mikebutcher seed · Jan 6 ’21
Mike Butcher urged WhatsApp users to move to Signal or Telegram after the terms notice.[2]
Join free to see why it worked and the other 13 events. Free, on every case.
Do this
- 1Make the alternative easy to name when customers question an incumbent.
Every number (9)
- January iOS downloads; 42matters estimate, overlaps global total“Signal went from 9,956,831 downloads in January”10M[18]
Press (5 outlets)
- Jan 6, 2021same day
MacRumors · Mandatory WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Allows User Data to be Shared With Facebook - MacRumors
You’ve seen 1 of 4 steps, 1 of 9 numbers and 1 of 5 outlets. Pro opens the rest, with all 20 sources.
