U.K. Data Watchdog Says Millions Have Stopped Using WhatsApp Anthony Aarons and Stephanie Bodoni, Bloomberg News An app icon for WhatsApp on a smartphone. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg , Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- The U.K.âs top data-protection regulator told lawmakers that millions of people have stopped using WhatsApp in favor of alternative messaging services such as Telegram and Signal. Elizabeth Denham said that changing terms of service have led consumers to vote with their virtual feet away from the Facebook Inc. business. WhatsApp delayed the introduction of a new privacy policy announced earlier this month after confusion and user backlash forced the messaging service to better explain what data it collects and how it shares that information with its parent company.