Hong Kong protests fuel uptake of encrypted Telegram, Reddit-like LIHKG apps

  • Messaging app Telegram gained about 110,000 new users in the city in July
  • LIHKG, a message board that operates like Reddit, added 120,000 new users in the same period

Silhouettes of smartphone users are seen next to a projected logo of messaging app Telegram, which has seen installations surge in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

First-time users of Telegram surged in Hong Kong after protesters flocked to the popular messaging app during the months-long demonstrations that gripped the city, new data from Sensor Tower shows.

Telegram, which was first released in 2016, gained about 110,000 new users in Hong Kong in July across the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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