Whatsapp remains popular even after Facebook deal
Despite concerns about data security and the controversial acquisition by Facebook, 80 percent of Swiss WhatsApp users want to stay with the messaging service. They feel it would be too much trouble to convince their friends to switch.
According to a study by Comparis.ch, only one in ten Swiss people is considering switching to an alternative to the controversial chat service. «Apparently, the effort required to convince friends to switch is too great. Many would rather stick with WhatsApp—data protection or not,» Ralf Beyeler of Comparis.ch is quoted as saying in a press release on Friday. Still, 5 percent of those surveyed have deleted WhatsApp from their smartphones.
However, the reasons people are turning their backs on WhatsApp show that the acquisition by Facebook certainly plays a role. One in two respondents does not want Facebook to have access to their personal WhatsApp data. About 20 percent cited general privacy concerns. Despite the media hype, challengers such as the Swiss app Threema have so far only managed to capture a 4 percent market share.
