MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Viber, one of the world’s biggest communication platforms, has recorded an increase in usage worldwide after increasing its capacity for core features and creating initiatives as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the enhanced community quarantine in place all over Luzon and other parts of the country, users have turned to the app to stay connected safely.
Worldwide, group messages and calls are the most popular features on Viber right now. Group messages sent at 134% greater, and the number of group calls received by an average Viber user increased by 370% in the past two weeks. The average number of community engagement has risen 78%. The number of daily active Viber users as of last week of March has also increased by 18% and the number of new users registering in the app daily is up 25% compared to the average several weeks ago. Viber users are also making longer calls – the call duration is up by 35%, and they send 75% more videos.
In the Philippines, messages sent increased by 120%, and the number of calls received by an average Viber user increased by 85% in the past weeks. The average number of community engagement has risen by 120%. The number of daily active Viber users as of last week of March has also increased by 40%, while the number of new users registering in the app daily is 55% higher compared to the average.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Viber has increased its capacity and introduced new initiatives, with more on the way. The app has boosted the number of participants in audio calls from 5 to 20 people at a time.
Together with authorities, Viber launched special communities in several countries where users can receive official and trusted information about the pandemic. Here in the Philippines, the Department of Health created the DOH PH COVID-19 Viber Community to disseminate valuable and verified information about the coronavirus to its over 1 million members.
The leading communications app has also launched an official WHO bot https://chats.viber.com/coronavirusinfo and is working with UNICEF U-Reports to deliver real-time updates and information about the coronavirus in multiple languages.
“During this challenging time, we are adapting and responding to help keep students and teachers, coworkers and partners, friends and families in constant contact with each other,” said Rakuten Viber CEO, Djamel Agaoua. “Our users rely on us, and we will continue enhancing their experience while keeping people connected freely and safely.”
