Telegram grows by 1.5 million users in Brazil due to WhatsApp blockade

Telegram claims to take advantage of the temporary blocking of WhatsApp in Brazil. The service could have added more than 1.5 million new users in the country in a few hours, but is still struggling with texting problems due to the influx.

Even before the blockade took effect, the number of new users with first 500,000 and increased by 1 million an hour later, claimed Telegram. The counter would now be at more than 1.5 million to stand and the influx would be so great that the SMS gateways can no longer handle it. As a result, the SMS messages with activation codes no longer arrive. Telegram stilt that those problems, which could hinder further growth, are almost solved.

Telegram experienced great growth after the acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook. Many users did not agree with the takeover and indicated that they would switch to alternatives, which did not hinder the growth of WhatsApp in practice. Telegram presents itself as a simple and secure chat service, although its security is questioned. The service claims that in 18 months, 60 million active users have chatted via Telegram, a fraction of the number of WhatsApp users.

Telecom providers in Brazil have been blocking WhatsApp traffic in the country since Thursday morning. They are doing this at the behest of the judge, who is putting pressure on WhatsApp to comply with a court order to hand over information in a criminal case. According to the Brazilian Band News TV, that case involved a drug trafficker and gang member who used WhatsApp for his activities, Reuters writes. The block will remain in effect for 48 hours.