Who owns the WhatsApp messenger - briefly?
Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc., is the owner of WhatsApp Messenger.
Who owns the WhatsApp messenger - in detail?
Who owns the WhatsApp messenger?
The ownership of WhatsApp, one of the world's most popular messaging applications, has seen significant changes since its inception. The journey began with Brian Acton and Jan Koum, who co-founded WhatsApp Inc. in 2009. Their vision was to create a simple, reliable, and convenient communication platform for users globally.
In February 2014, Facebook, Inc., under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, acquired WhatsApp Inc. for approximately $19 billion. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment in the tech industry, as it combined Facebook's extensive user base and resources with WhatsApp's powerful messaging capabilities. The deal included both cash and Facebook shares, making Acton and Koum some of Silicon Valley’s newest billionaires.
Post-acquisition, WhatsApp continued to operate independently within the Facebook ecosystem. However, in April 2018, Jan Koum announced his departure from WhatsApp and Facebook. This move was reportedly due to disagreements with Facebook over data privacy and encryption practices. Brian Acton had left the company a year earlier, in September 2017, also citing concerns about user privacy.
Today, WhatsApp is fully integrated into Facebook's suite of services, although it maintains its distinct branding and functionality. The messaging app continues to innovate, introducing features such as end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, and WhatsApp Business for small enterprises. Despite the changes in leadership and ownership, WhatsApp remains committed to its original mission of providing a secure and user-friendly communication platform for people around the world.
In conclusion, while WhatsApp was initially owned by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, it is now part of Facebook, Inc., with Mark Zuckerberg overseeing its operations as part of the broader Facebook ecosystem.