Who owns WhatsApp and in which country is it based - briefly?
WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc. It is based in the United States of America.
Who owns WhatsApp and in which country is it based - in detail?
WhatsApp, the globally popular messaging application, is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., a technology conglomerate headquartered in Menlo Park, California, United States. The platform was initially developed and launched by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, two former Yahoo employees, who intended to create an alternative to the traditional SMS system. WhatsApp was officially incorporated on June 24, 2009, with its headquarters based in Mountain View, California, before being acquired by Facebook Inc., now known as Meta Platforms Inc., in February 2014 for a staggering $19 billion.
Under the ownership of Meta, WhatsApp has expanded significantly and now boasts over two billion users worldwide. The acquisition allowed WhatsApp to leverage Facebook's extensive resources and infrastructure, enabling it to offer more robust features such as end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, and business solutions. Despite its global reach, WhatsApp remains deeply rooted in the United States, with its primary development and operational teams based there.
The acquisition of WhatsApp by Meta Platforms Inc. has been a pivotal moment in the company's history, transforming it from a startup into one of the most influential communication platforms globally. The integration with Meta's ecosystem has allowed WhatsApp to maintain its relevance and innovation in an ever-evolving digital landscape.