The Facebook-owned messaging platform’s decision to update their privacy and terms of service brought about a huge ripple effect which is leading to a rush in WhatsApp defectors around the globe.

Now according to a survey by LocalCircles, a huge number of WhatsApp users in India may reduce their usage of the messaging platform. The survey also states that users may move to other platforms. LocalCircles surveyed Indian users to measure the impression as an update to WhatsApp’s privacy policy and terms of service will come into effect from next month.

After survey in 244 districts around the country, LocalCircles received 24,000 responses from users of WhatsApp. When they were enquired about their perspective on the new update, the survey received responses from 8,977 people. The result stated that 15 per cent of users in the country are likely to move away completely from the messaging platform while 36 per cent of respondents said that they will reduce usage radically.

WhatsApp has recently given the further details about the upcoming change, clarifying that the changes will only effect people-to-business chats. As part of the update, businesses using WhatsApp can control Facebook’s hosting services. Business Chats leveraging Facebook’s hosting services will be labelled, as per a new FAQ page declared by WhatsApp.

67 per cent of the app users said that they will halt business chat if the platform shares user and transaction information from chats with WhatsApp business accounts with Facebook and third parties.