(Reuters) – Telegram has overtaken WhatsApp to become Russia’s hottest messaging software, the cell operator Megafon stated on Monday, with Russians flocking to the service as Moscow restricts some digital providers.
WhatsApp proprietor Meta Platforms Inc is embroiled in a Russian court docket case, with prosecutors looking for to label it an “extremist organisation”, and authorities have actively promoted Telegram as they’ve banned different overseas platforms akin to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Russia’s army operation in Ukraine has added gas to a simmering dispute between overseas digital platforms and Moscow.
Megafon, one in every of Russia’s 4 primary telecoms operators, stated its evaluation of cell web visitors confirmed that Telegram’s share had jumped to 63% within the first two weeks of March from 48% within the first two weeks of February.
WhatsApp’s share dropped to 32% from 48%, Megafon stated.
The common Telegram consumer consumed 101 MB of knowledge a day, in contrast to 26 MB for WhatsApp.
Founded by Russian Pavel Durov, Telegram has lengthy been a preferred information platform in Russia, with virtually all main media, authorities entities and public figures working content material channels.
“The recognition of the service has grown in opposition to the backdrop of restrictions on entry to different messengers and social networks,” Megafon stated in an announcement. “The service began actively rising on Feb. 24.”
Russia despatched tens of 1000’s of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it referred to as a particular operation to degrade its southern neighbour’s army capabilities and root out individuals it referred to as harmful nationalists.
Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to power it to withdraw its forces.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
