Messaging app Telegram has overtaken WhatsApp in Russia to become the most popular messaging tool, provider Megafon announced on Monday, with Russians using the app en masse as Moscow restricts some other digital services.
While US company Meta Platforms Inc, owner of WhatsApp, was today labeled an extremist organization by a Russian court, authorities appeared to be actively promoting Telegram as they have banned other foreign platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Russian military operation in Ukraine has sparked heated debates between foreign companies operating digital platforms and Moscow.
Megafon[/B], one of Russia's four largest telecoms providers, said its analysis of mobile internet usage showed that Telegram's share soared to 63% in the first two weeks of March from 48% in the first two weeks of February. WhatsApp dropped to 32% from 48% in the same period, Megafon said.
The average Telegram user consumes 101 MB of data per day, compared to the 26 MB consumed by a WhatsApp user. Telegram, which was founded by Russian Pavel Durov, has long been a popular news platform in Russia, with almost all major media outlets, state entities and public figures using its content channels.
The service's popularity picked up as soon as restrictions were placed on access to other messaging apps and social media Megafon said in a statement, noting that the service began actively growing on February 24.
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