Who is the manufacturer of WhatsApp - briefly?
The manufacturer of WhatsApp is Meta Platforms Inc., a leading technology company that also owns Facebook and Instagram.
Who is the manufacturer of WhatsApp - in detail?
The manufacturer of WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging applications globally, is Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc. WhatsApp was originally founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, two former Yahoo employees who sought to create a more efficient and user-friendly mobile messaging service. The application quickly gained traction due to its simplicity and reliability, becoming especially popular among users who wanted to avoid the high costs of traditional SMS services.
In February 2014, Facebook Inc. acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion in a deal that included both cash and stock. This acquisition was one of the largest in tech history at the time. The purchase was seen as a strategic move by Facebook to expand its user base and integrate more closely with mobile users. Following the acquisition, WhatsApp continued to operate as an independent entity within Facebook Inc., maintaining its own brand identity and infrastructure.
In 2021, Facebook Inc. underwent a significant rebranding effort, changing its corporate name to Meta Platforms Inc. to reflect its growing focus on developing the "metaverse," a virtual reality space where users can interact in a digital environment. As part of this transition, WhatsApp also came under the umbrella of Meta Platforms Inc., further solidifying its place within the broader ecosystem of products and services offered by the company.
Under the ownership of Meta Platforms Inc., WhatsApp has continued to evolve and introduce new features such as end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, and business messaging tools. The application now boasts over 2 billion users worldwide, making it one of the most popular communication platforms in existence. Despite some controversies surrounding privacy concerns and data sharing practices with Facebook, WhatsApp remains a dominant player in the global messaging market, backed by the extensive resources and technological expertise of its parent company, Meta Platforms Inc.