The WeChat app and its encrypted alternative Signal saw a spike in downloads in the US, after the Trump administration passed an executive order to ban the application earlier this month.
According to a Reuters report, the Tencent owned app saw a rise in downloads, as users rushed to install the application before it completely disappeared from the app stores in the country. Similarly, Signal also saw a similar trend, especially in China, as it is an encrypted alternative, which owned by non-profit Signal Foundation. The report stated that the WeChat app downloads rose by 41 percent in a six day average in the United States when compared to the previous week.
Editor’s Pick: Redmi G Gaming Laptop launches with 144Hz display, Core i7-10750H, GTX 1650 Ti, and more
This occurred immediately after the Trump Administration threatened to ban the app last week. Notably, the Signal app download rose by 30 percent in the US app stores and by a whopping 90 percent in the Chinese app stores. A Sensor Tower analyst stated that, “Not only are alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram officially blocked in China, but Signal has an inherent advantage in that it’s well known for being strongly encrypted.”
Furthermore, WeChat users have also turned towards other Tencent owned chat apps like QQ, since the ban did not specifically include this platform. As such, the downloads for this app have also tripled in the past week. At the moment, Apple and other US giants are pushing back against the move from the government, citing various busines losses that would occur if it is enforced. Although, it remains to be seen how this event develops, so stay tuned.
UP NEXT: Xiaomi plans on launching smart refrigerator and washing machine in India later this year
