If you count the number of anecdotes on the WhatsApp side vs. Signal or other similar networks, you will find that a massive quantitative difference. There are about 1,000 WhatsApp users for every 1 Telegram or Signal user.

The anecdote is supposed to show why one can't just write their own app. It doesn't work that way.

No, it does. I am not going to post the same story on five different social networks. But I can easily have 5 different chatting clients on my phone.

How many people do you know who are happy to have 5 different chatting apps on their phone and remember which one to use to talk to which person?

Consider that you're a distant outlier.

I use 4, and it's not difficult to remember, for anyone worth chatting to.

You just naturally remember, like you would remember where your friends live. I guess if you are constantly dealing with "contacts" rather then friends it would get confusing.

Most people in the US don't look past iMessage. WeChat / WhatsApp abroad. Network effects are real.

Maybe for your group , but imessage certainly isn't the standard across the US. Does nobody you know own an android?

Most people have facebook and instagramm on their phone which could be already seen as "chatting apps". I don't use them for chatting.

I use

1. WeChat

2. WhatsApp

3. Threema

4. Frozenchat, a Jabber client with OTR support

Don't have signal yet.

Ah, and I can "chat" via Text message too :-)

1. no one uses this outside of china,they failed in their push to even india

2. global leader right now

3. as compromised as whatsapp,has data compliance with multiple countries

4. no name fork of a no name

1. Clearly anecdotal evidence

2. correct

3. Multiple countries? You would need a court order from Switzerland. I am not even sure they can access your messages if they wanted to.

4. Irrelevant because it is a client to an open protocol. Which client you use does not matter. I just named mine.