Telegram claimed that it gained 8 million new users after Facebook announced its purchase of WhatsApp. The surge reflected widespread curiosity about alternatives to WhatsApp and concern among some users about Facebook ownership.
Facebook announced the acquisition on February 19, 2014. The deal was valued at approximately $19 billion and immediately generated intense attention because WhatsApp had become one of the world’s most widely used mobile messaging services. Telegram, which emphasized privacy and secure communication, reported a major influx soon afterward.
The figure describes Telegram’s claim, rather than an independently audited count of permanent active users. That distinction matters: reports often measured downloads, registrations, or newly acquired users over a short period. Other messaging services also reported gains; LINE, for example, said it added about 2 million users. The event helped establish Telegram as a prominent WhatsApp alternative, although the two services later continued to differ in features, business models, and privacy architecture.