Telegram has surpassed WhatsApp as Russia’s most popular messaging app, according to Megafon (MFON.MM), with Russians flocking to the service as Moscow tightens restrictions on some internet services.
Authorities have actively promoted Telegram as they have banned other foreign platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms Inc (FB.O) is embroiled in a Russian court case, with prosecutors seeking to label it an “extremist organization,” and authorities have actively promoted Telegram as they have banned other foreign platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (TWTR.N).
The military action launched by Russia in Ukraine has fueled a simmering disagreement between global digital platforms and Moscow.
Telegram’s share of mobile internet traffic increased to 63 percent in the first two weeks of March, up from 48 percent in the first two weeks of February, according to Megafon, one of Russia’s four main telecoms carriers.
According to Megafon, WhatsApp’s market share has plummeted from 48 percent to 32 percent.
The average Telegram user consumed 101 MB of data a day, compared to 26 MB for WhatsApp.
Founded by Russian Pavel Durov, Telegram has long been a popular news platform in Russia, with almost all major media, government entities and public figures operating content channels.
“The popularity of the service has grown against the backdrop of restrictions on access to other messengers and social networks,” Megafon said in a statement. “The service started actively growing on Feb. 24.”
On February 24, Russia dispatched tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in what it described as a “special operation” aimed at degrading its southern neighbor’s military capabilities and rooting out “dangerous nationalists.”
Ukraine’s soldiers have resisted, and the West has slapped Russia with sweeping sanctions in an attempt to force it to remove its men.
