Who owns WhatsApp and who created it - briefly?
WhatsApp was created by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in 2009. The company was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for $19 billion, making Mark Zuckerberg the current owner.
Who owns WhatsApp and who created it - in detail?
WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform, was created by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in 2009. Both founders had worked at Yahoo before leaving to start their own venture. The app's initial focus was on status updates, similar to the "away messages" used on instant messaging services at that time. However, as smartphones became more prevalent and internet connectivity improved, WhatsApp evolved into a full-fledged messaging service.
In February 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion in cash and stock. This acquisition marked one of the largest deals in Silicon Valley history. Following the acquisition, both Acton and Koum left Facebook in 2017 and 2018 respectively, due to disagreements with Facebook's leadership over issues such as user privacy and data monetization strategies.
Currently, WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook. Meta Platforms was formerly known as Facebook Inc. until October 2021 when it rebranded to reflect its focus on building the metaverse. The acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook and subsequently Meta has allowed for significant integration with other services offered by the tech giant, enhancing user experience and expanding reach. Despite changes in ownership, WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging platforms globally, with over 2 billion users across various countries.