Communications

Different online communication platforms provide different services. Text-based instant messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and Signal attract users with quick communication. In comparison, social communication platforms like Snapchat and Discord are preferred for a more visual experience: on Snapchat, users exchange photos and images in a digital social setting, while on Discord users aggregate in forums and can chat, call, and engage in screen sharing.

E-mails first came into use in the 1960s. The messages have evolved since then and generated increasing user numbers, which are projected to surpass 4.7 billion by 2026. Video call platforms such as Zoom provide more interactive communication. Zoom was launched in 2011, and the number of users skyrocketed over the years, especially due to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Microsoft Teams is another popular communication platform, especially in professional settings.

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020, platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams thrived. Daily Zoom usage peaked in March 2020. Millions of video calls were going through each minute spent on media all over the world. In 2021, Zoom recorded around 3000 billion meetings worldwide, and a global revenues of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars. In 2023, Zoom grossed approximately 4.4 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 69 percent compared to 2021.