WhatsApp from Facebook is clearly having a headache. And Telegram is taking this moment to its advantage.
It all began when WhatsApp announced a planned privacy policy change. Quickly, mass exodus started to happen, with people moving away from WhatsApp to competitors.
WhatsApp tried to explain itself, but many people don't really much care.
With lots of people moving to Telegram, the chat app said that it was seeing records number of new registration.
But following that, Telegram sure knew that if former WhatsApp users move to Telegram without bringing their luggage, the higher the chance that they will go back to using WhatsApp.
In order to make those users to 'let it (WhatsApp) go' and move on, Telegram delivers an update to allow users to import their chats.
In a blog post, Telegram wrote that:
"Starting today, everyone can bring their chat history – including videos and documents – to Telegram from apps like WhatsApp, Line and KakaoTalk. This works both for individual chats and groups:"
To do this, users who want to move a chat from WhatsApp on iOS can open the 'Contact Info' or 'Group Info' page in WhatsApp, tap the 'Export Chat', then choose 'Telegram' in the Share menu.
WhatsApp on iOS also allows users to export chats directly from the chat list, by swiping left on the chat using the 'Export Chat' option.
On Android, users can open a WhatsApp chat, tap on the three dots, to then select 'More' to then choose 'Export Chat'. They can then choose 'Telegram' in the 'Share menu'.
After the export-import process, messages will be assigned into the current day date, that also include their original timestamps.
All members of the chat on Telegram can see these messages, and the messages and media users have moved don’t need to occupy extra space.
And knowing that the massive amount of new users that move to Telegram are those who either want to free themselves from Facebook-WhatsApp grip or finally admitted/realized to their data-gathering practices, Telegram wants to make these people right at home and comfortable.
"Your data is your business, which is why Telegram users can not only export their chats, but also delete messages they send and receive for both sides – without a trace," said Telegram, adding that "with this update, you get even more control: secret chats, groups you created and call history can now also be deleted for all sides at any time."
"Telegram servers don’t store information about deleted chats and call logs, so the data will disappear completely, forever."
The update also introduces improve Voice Chats, improved Audio Player, and of course, some greeting stickers.
"If you have contacts who joined Telegram recently, it may be a nice touch to welcome them using one of Telegram's unique features. A greeting sticker will be suggested in your new chats, ready to send in one tap," said Telegram.
For Android users, the update again introduces some new animations.
Telegram has also made it easier for users to report spam and other type of illegal contents, and improved some accessibility features on the app.
The chat app by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov has came a long way before finally able to show its big grin in the face of WhatsApp.
Telegram was the chat app that once brought Russian down to its knees, when it inadvertently ruined its own internet when attempting to shut it down.
Further reading: Comparing WhatsApp With Telegram And Signal, In A Privacy Perspective