Facebook’s plan to force WhatsApp users to agree to share user data with Facebook starting February 8th backfired. Millions of people have downloaded competing services, Signal and Telegram, in preparation for the change. WhatsApp is still the undisputed instant messaging app, offering strong end-to-end encryption and cross-platform support, and that won’t change going forward. Even after the update, WhatsApp will continue to support end-to-end encryption and bridge iPhone-to-Android communication. But Signal and Telegram can also do that.
