Obviously different users! I'm aware of the network effect, and I massively commend them for such a bold, privacy-oriented approach, particularly given their previous track record. (Well done, Moxie! How'd you talk them into that?)

Everyone I know who was aware WhatsApp was Facebook-owned brought it up as a strong, overriding negative; others who heard that followed suit.

Perhaps that says more about Facebook's perception amongst that demographic than WhatsApp. (The plural of anecdotes is not data, I hasten to add.)

If there's a lesson from this, perhaps it's: something new and better needs to come from, if not trusted people, then at least not mistrusted people.