What company owns WhatsApp - briefly?
WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc.
What company owns WhatsApp - in detail?
The ownership of WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging platforms globally, can be traced back to its founders and the subsequent acquisition by Facebook. In February 2009, Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo!, established WhatsApp Inc. in Santa Clara, California. The application was designed as a cross-platform messaging service that allowed users to send text messages and share images, videos, and other content without the need for traditional SMS or MMS services.
WhatsApp quickly gained traction among users due to its simplicity, ease of use, and the ability to communicate across different mobile platforms. By 2014, WhatsApp had amassed over 450 million active users worldwide, making it a highly attractive target for acquisition by larger technology companies.
On February 19, 2014, Facebook Inc., then led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, announced its intention to acquire WhatsApp Inc. for approximately $19 billion in cash and stock. This marked one of the largest acquisitions in the history of the tech industry. The deal was finalized on October 4, 2014, with Facebook paying $16 billion in stock and $3 billion in cash, along with an additional $3 billion earmarked for restricted stock units to be paid out to WhatsApp employees over a period of four years.
Following the acquisition, WhatsApp continued to operate as a separate entity within Facebook. However, in August 2016, WhatsApp's founders, Brian Acton and Jan Koum, announced their departures from the company due to disagreements with Facebook over issues such as data privacy and monetization strategies. Despite these leadership changes, WhatsApp has continued to grow under Facebook's ownership, expanding its user base and introducing new features such as end-to-end encryption, voice and video calling, and business messaging tools.
In conclusion, while WhatsApp was originally founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in 2009, the company is now owned by Facebook Inc., following a landmark acquisition in 2014. This ownership has facilitated significant growth and development for WhatsApp, positioning it as one of the leading messaging platforms globally.