Who owns the WhatsApp company - briefly?
WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc. The acquisition took place in February 2014 for a reported $19 billion.
Who owns the WhatsApp company - in detail?
Who owns the WhatsApp company? This question has sparked considerable interest, especially since the platform's acquisition by Facebook in 2014. To delve into the details, let's trace the ownership history of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo! Inc. The company began as a simple messaging app for smartphones, allowing users to communicate without incurring SMS fees. WhatsApp's popularity grew rapidly due to its user-friendly interface and the ability to send messages across different mobile platforms.
In 2014, Facebook, Inc., recognizing the potential of WhatsApp, acquired the company for a staggering $19 billion. This acquisition marked one of the largest deals in Silicon Valley history. As part of the agreement, Facebook paid approximately $4 billion in cash and the rest in Facebook shares. The founders, Acton and Koum, became multi-billionaires overnight.
Following the acquisition, Brian Acton left WhatsApp in 2017 to start the Signal Foundation, which focuses on privacy and encryption technologies. Jan Koum also departed from WhatsApp and Facebook in 2018, citing differences with Facebook's leadership over the future of WhatsApp, particularly concerning privacy issues and data protection.
Currently, WhatsApp is fully owned by Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, oversees the operations of WhatsApp along with other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook itself. Under Meta's ownership, WhatsApp has continued to expand its features, including end-to-end encryption, group video calls, and business messaging tools.
In summary, while Brian Acton and Jan Koum were the original owners of WhatsApp, the company is now owned by Meta Platforms, Inc., following Facebook's acquisition in 2014. The change in ownership has led to significant growth and innovation within the platform, making it one of the most popular messaging applications worldwide.