If two organizations have the same business domain, then rivalry is very common. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have different business interests. They still disagree with each other’s ideas. This rivalry is no more hidden. Earlier, Zuckerberg criticized Musk’s dream project based on Artificial Intelligence(AI). “He has limited AI knowledge”, Musk counter-attacked Facebook CEO. After blaming Facebook for the Capitol incident through a meme, Elon Musk, the richest person in the World, has asked his followers to use Signal, an instant messaging app.
Why Signal User base Surged Suddenly?
A two words tweet, “Use Signal” by Elon Musk has created an uproar in the instant messaging community. After Elon Musk’s tweet, Signal saw a surge in its user base. Recently, Elon Musk became the richest person in the World. Signup demand was so high that the Signal platform could not handle it. Users could not receive verification codes for the first time sign in.
Through their official Twitter handle, Signal said, “Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now(we can barely register the excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.”
Whatsapp’s policy change was the other reason for Signal demand. WhatsApp is allowing its business associates to store user chat data for business use.
Interestingly, Brian Acton founded both WhatsApp and Signal. After the acquisition of Whatsapp by Facebook, He left WhatApp in 2017 after a monetization dispute. Later in 2018, Brain and Moxie Marlinspike cofounded Signal. The signal app is very popular among Researchers, Scientists, and Academicians.
Like Whatsapp, Signal is also an encrypted instant messaging app. Signal focuses more on the security and privacy of users. The Signal platform is open source, but not WhatsApp. To focus on its current policies, Signal remains a nonprofit organization. Recently, Signal avoided funding for its privacy commitments to the users.
Twitter CEO supported the Signal app openly. American Whistleblower Edward Snowden came out in support of Signal.
WhatsApp’s Controversial New Policies
If you are a WhatsApp user, then you may have received a notification related to the new policies of the platform. WhatsApp conveyed the policy reminders to Android and iOS users.
As per the new WhatsApp Policies, Facebook and its subsidiaries will collect the user data for business purposes. Phone numbers, contacts’ phone numbers, location, and other key information will be used by the Facebook network.
New policies of WhatsApp will be active from Feb 8, 2021. If a user doesn’t accept the current terms and policies, WhatsApp will revoke that user account.
WhatsApp is the most popular encrypted instant messaging app worldwide. It was the third most downloaded non-gaming app by December month data, and first in November. New policies still forced users to switch to smaller messaging apps like signal and telegram.
WhatsApp spokesperson said that New policy change is to help businesses. WhatsApp further clarified that the new policy will not make any changes in the WhatsApp features. Users still can communicate the same way with friends and family. Why they changed the policies suddenly? WhatsApp did not have the answer to this question.
