Rakuten Viber reported increased user activity in the Philippines, with average daily time spent on the messaging platform rising 24% and monthly active users projected to grow 16.5%.
The company said the Philippines recorded the highest daily time spent on Viber worldwide. The country also became its largest market for ViberPlus, the platform’s paid subscription service, with paying subscribers increasing 34.3% and revenue rising 75.5%.
Viber Dating also recorded growth in the country, with average monthly active users increasing 96.9%, compared with the global average of 44%. Filipino users accounted for 56% of new profiles created on the service.
Business accounts also expanded, with the Philippines accounting for 24% of Viber’s live business accounts worldwide. Active business accounts in the country grew 20.5%, while meaningful business interactions increased 127.3%.
The Philippines is also among Viber’s top three markets for artificial intelligence usage. Users aged 25 to 34 account for nearly 20% of monthly active AI users locally, followed closely by those aged 35 to 44.
Nearly half of all AI interactions take place through Viber’s dedicated ChatGPT Tab, which lets users ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and seek help with everyday activities. Other AI features include Translate, Your News, Unread Recap, and AI Reply.
Viber said its AI services do not use user data to train AI models. Users can choose whether to access the features and decide what information to share.
The company is also preparing a partnership with the Department of Tourism to make DOT-accredited tourism businesses easier to find through Viber Business Accounts and Marketplace. The initiative is expected to give tourism micro, small, and medium enterprises another digital channel to reach potential customers.
“Security and privacy are the fundamental components which contribute to that trust,” said Rakuten Viber chief revenue officer Cristina Constandache.
“We recognize that we have the power and the responsibility to keep providing a trusted environment, while offering our users best-in-class access and experience to new tools, technology, and innovation that help them connect, communicate, and create.”
Constandache added that Viber’s AI does not passively read user messages in the background. Users retain control over whether they use AI features and what data they choose to share.
