Telegram surpasses 1 billion active users, closes in on WhatsApp’s dominance

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, announced on Thursday that the messaging app has crossed a major milestone, now boasting "significantly over" 1 billion monthly active users. This surge in popularity has propelled Telegram to the position of the world’s second most-used messaging platform, trailing only WhatsApp globally, with China’s WeChat excluded from the ranking due to its regional focus.

Photo: Kun.uz

In a statement, Durov noted not only the app’s growing user base but also a sharp rise in engagement. He noted that the average Telegram user opens the app 21 times a day and spends 41 minutes on it daily, signaling a deepening reliance on the platform. Alongside this user growth, Telegram’s financial performance has soared, with the company reporting a profit of $547 million in 2024.

Durov took a sharp jab at WhatsApp, Telegram’s primary rival, calling it a "cheap, watered-down imitation" of his app. He accused the Meta-owned platform of attempting to mimic Telegram’s innovations while spending heavily on lobbying and public relations efforts to hinder its competitor’s rise. "They failed," Durov said, emphasizing Telegram’s ability to grow, turn a profit, and maintain its independence — qualities he suggested WhatsApp has struggled to achieve.

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