Outbreak of coronavirus increases use of WhatsApp by 40% - Latest survey
- A survey by insights and consulting firm, Kantar, shows that more people are using WhatsApp as the coronavirus spreads all over the world
- The survey was conducted between Saturday, March 14 to Tuesday, March 24, 2020, and captured over 25,000 consumers in 30 markets
- The research recorded rates of increases in the use of WhatsApp all over the world
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The use of social media platform, WhatsApp, has increased by 40%, as the coronavirus continues to spread all over the world.
This follows the desire of several users to go online to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues.
Fresh data coming from Kantar, an insights and consulting firm, shows that some apps are benefitting from the global spread of the coronavirus.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: World leaders raise concerns about spread of fake information on WhatsApp
Per a TechCrunch report, a survey conducted from March 14 to 24, 2020, of over 25,000 consumers in 30 markets showed that WhatsApp recorded the highest gains due to the coronavirus.
The app recorded the new usage up from an initial 27% bump in the early days of the spread of the virus.
In countries where the pandemic has reached its later phases, the use of WhatsApp has increased by 51%.
In individual markets, the rates recorded were even higher, as in the case of Spain where WhatsApp’s usage shot up to 76%.
It was also concluded that the 18-34-year group was the largest pool of users of the app.
Facebook and Instagram also recorded an over 40% increase in use from the same age group.
Other social media app such as China’s WeChat and Weibo also recorded an increase in use during the period of the study.
Kantar also reported that the use of Facebook has increased by 37% while local social media apps in China have recorded a 58% increase in use.
Meanwhile, fresh details coming in show that the sale of smartphones fell by 14% at the global level in February 2020.
The fall has been attributed to the spread of the coronavirus in China and several other countries all over the world.
According to Counterpoint Research, the new development could be the start of more declines in sales as more outbreaks are recorded all over the world.
The spread of the coronavirus has compelled Apple and other smartphone makers to close their stores in China.
READ ALSO: Report shows WhatsApp would no longer work on selected Android and iOS devices
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