Telegram roars past 1 billion users: Durov throws shade at WhatsApp!
Hold on to your hats, folks! The messaging app world just got a whole lot more interesting. Telegram, the privacy-focused platform, has officially joined the billion-user club. But that's not even the juiciest part of the story. Its CEO, Pavel Durov, decided to spice things up with a little jab at its biggest competitor: WhatsApp. Buckle up, because this is going to be fun!
Telegram joins the big leagues
One billion monthly active users! That's a number that would make anyone sit up and take notice. For Telegram, it signifies a massive jump from the 950 million reported just last year. It's clear that the app is gaining serious traction in the crowded messaging market.
And it's not just user numbers that are booming. Durov also revealed that Telegram raked in a cool $547 million in profit in 2024. Talk about a successful year!
Durov throws a punch (of words, that is)
Now, here's where things get interesting. Durov, never one to shy away from a little competition, didn't hold back when talking about WhatsApp. He called it a "cheap, watered-down imitation of Telegram." Ouch!
He went on to accuse WhatsApp of desperately trying to copy Telegram's innovations for years. He also said they have been burning billions on lobbying and PR campaigns to slow Telegram down. Durov stated that they failed. According to Durov, Telegram grew, became profitable, and, unlike its competitor, retained its independence.
WhatsApp fires back
Of course, WhatsApp wasn't going to take that lying down. A spokesperson for the Meta-owned app clapped back, saying that WhatsApp was "born with privacy in our DNA long before Telegram came along." They also pointed out that "Telegram still doesn't secure group conversations and instead chooses to keep them all on their servers." Shots fired!
This little spat highlights the ongoing battle for dominance in the messaging app world. Both platforms are vying for users and constantly trying to one-up each other with new features.
Durov's legal drama
The timing of Durov's statement is also pretty interesting. It comes just after he was allowed to return to Dubai. This return followed a long court battle in France.
Durov was previously arrested at an airport in Paris in August 2024. French authorities alleged that Telegram had been used for drug trafficking, child abuse, and fraud.
Durov denies the accusations. He stated that it was unfair to hold him responsible for third-party crimes on the platform.
Since then, Telegram has made some significant changes, including partnering with the Internet Watch Foundation. They are dedicated to removing child sexual abuse material. Telegram has also started issuing transparency reports. The service reports the amount of content that was taken down.
What it means for you
So, what does all this mean for you, the average messaging app user? Here are some key takeaways:
- More competition: The rivalry between Telegram and WhatsApp is likely to intensify, leading to even more innovative features and updates from both platforms.
- Privacy matters: The debate over privacy and security will continue to be a central theme in the messaging app world.
- Your choice matters: Ultimately, the best messaging app for you depends on your individual needs and priorities.
The messaging war continues
The battle for messaging app supremacy is far from over. With Telegram hitting the billion-user mark and its CEO throwing shade at WhatsApp, the competition is heating up.
While WhatsApp may still have a larger user base, Telegram is clearly making waves. And with Durov at the helm, you can expect plenty more bold statements and innovative features in the years to come. It is a messaging battle between two titans, and one thing is for sure, the users will be the ones who benefit from it.