What company is WhatsApp - briefly?
WhatsApp is a subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc.
What company is WhatsApp - in detail?
WhatsApp is a subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc. The company was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, both former employees of Yahoo!. WhatsApp's initial focus was on providing a messaging platform for smartphones that allowed users to send text messages and make voice calls over the internet, bypassing traditional telecommunications charges.
In February 2014, Facebook Inc. acquired WhatsApp in a deal worth approximately $19 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the technology sector at the time. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move for Facebook to expand its reach into the mobile messaging market and to integrate WhatsApp's functionalities with its existing social media platforms.
Under Meta Platforms Inc., WhatsApp has continued to grow and evolve, introducing new features such as end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, and the ability to send multimedia messages including photos and videos. The app has also expanded its business model to include WhatsApp Business, which provides tools for businesses to communicate with their customers more efficiently.
Despite some controversies and challenges, such as concerns over data privacy and competition issues, WhatsApp remains one of the most popular messaging platforms worldwide, with over two billion users in more than 180 countries. Its success can be attributed to its user-friendly interface, reliability, and continuous innovation in providing secure and efficient communication tools for both individuals and businesses.