As we all know, Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014, and it’s grown in popularity — enough to take the top spot from Facebook.

It’s hard to imagine that there are people out there who don’t have Facebook. In fact, if you hear about an acquaintance who’s not on the platform, it’s a bit odd. But the reality is that many are opting to leave Facebook after a range of data scandals. And the social platform has had its head on the chopping board for quite a while now.

On the other hand, WhatsApp (the popular messaging service) has only grown in popularity — with many around the world choosing it as their preferred messaging app. The growing number of people adopting smartphones from the older feature phones have likely contributed to the rise of WhatsApp too. Smartphones are getting cheaper, and you can even buy one for R800 that will run WhatsApp.TNW disagrees, saying “WhatsApp’s growth is not just due to developing markets. Its simplicity and end-to-end encryption made it the top app in terms of engagement in the UK and Canada”. Which is fair, but there are many other messaging apps that promise similar levels of security. Signal is particularly worth a look.

We will have to wait and see if WhatsApp keeps the top spot for long. Recent reports suggest that WhatsApp plans to add advertisements soon — something that could drive users into the arms of other messaging apps, if Facebooks torrid history on privacy isn’t doing so already.