WhatsApp Privacy Lawsuit Fuels Interest in Decentralized Messaging Apps

[mendez]

The lawsuit accusing Meta of misrepresenting WhatsApp’s privacy protections has renewed attention on decentralized and alternative encrypted messaging platforms.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov publicly backed the plaintiffs, claiming WhatsApp’s encryption implementation contains multiple attack vectors. While Meta disputes those claims, privacy concerns around centralized messaging platforms continue to grow.

At the same time, decentralized messaging apps such as Bitchat, Session, and X-Messenger are seeing increased adoption. Bitchat, launched by Jack Dorsey, has surged in downloads across regions including Uganda, Iran, Nepal, and Indonesia, particularly in areas facing internet shutdowns or natural disasters.

These platforms emphasize user-controlled encryption and, in some cases, internet-free communication, reflecting a broader shift toward privacy-focused alternatives amid rising scrutiny of Big Tech.