Who owns the WhatsApp company now - briefly?
Facebook, Inc., a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc., currently owns WhatsApp.
Who owns the WhatsApp company now - in detail?
The ownership of WhatsApp has evolved significantly since its inception. Initially founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in 2009, WhatsApp was designed as a messaging platform to connect users globally. In February 2014, Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms Inc., acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in the company's history and paved the way for substantial growth and integration with other Meta services.
Following the acquisition, Brian Acton left WhatsApp in September 2017 due to disagreements over the app’s future and monetization strategies. Jan Koum, the other co-founder, stepped down from his role as CEO in April 2018, citing personal reasons and differences with Facebook regarding data privacy and encryption policies.
Currently, WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., with Mark Zuckerberg serving as its Chief Executive Officer. Under Meta's ownership, WhatsApp has seen significant advancements in features, user base expansion, and integration with other Meta services such as Facebook Messenger. The platform continues to evolve, focusing on enhancing user privacy, security, and overall messaging experience. Despite initial controversies surrounding the acquisition, WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging applications globally.