WhatsApp

Extracted Attributes

• Founded

  2009-02-24

• Founders

  Jan Koum and Brian Acton

• Headquarters

  Mountain View, California, USA

• Core Features

  End-to-end encrypted messaging, Voice over IP, Video calling, Status updates

• Primary Investor

  Sequoia Capital

• Acquisition Value

  $19.3 billion USD

• Parent Organization

  Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook)

• Monthly Active Users

  3 billion (as of 2025-05-01)

• WhatsApp Business Users

  200 million monthly users (as of 2023)

Timeline

• Jan Koum incorporates WhatsApp Inc. in California. (Source: Web Search)

  2009-02-24

• WhatsApp Messenger is officially launched. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2009-05-01

• Sequoia Capital invests $8 million for more than 15% of the company. (Source: Web Search)

  2011-04-01

• WhatsApp reaches 200 million active users and receives an additional $50 million investment from Sequoia Capital. (Source: Web Search)

  2013-02-01

• Facebook announces the acquisition of WhatsApp for approximately $19.3 billion. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2014-02-19

• WhatsApp becomes the world's most popular messaging application with 900 million users. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2015-01-01

• WhatsApp Business is launched as a standalone app for small business owners. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2018-01-01

• The service surpasses 2 billion active users worldwide. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2020-02-01

• WhatsApp reaches a milestone of 3 billion monthly active users. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2025-05-01

WhatsApp

WhatsApp Messenger, commonly known simply as WhatsApp, is an American social media, instant messaging (IM), and Voice over IP (VoIP) service accessible via desktop and mobile app. Owned by Meta Platforms, the service allows users to send text messages, voice messages, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. The service requires a cellular mobile telephone number to register. WhatsApp was launched in May 2009. In January 2018, WhatsApp released a standalone business app called WhatsApp Business which can communicate with the standard WhatsApp client. As of May 2025, the service had 3 billion monthly active users, making it the most used messenger app. The name of the app is meant to sound like "what's up". The service was created by WhatsApp Inc. of Mountain View, California, which was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for approximately US$19.3 billion. It became the world's most popular messaging application in 2015, with 900 million users, and had more than 2 billion active users worldwide in February 2020. WhatsApp Business had approximately 200 million monthly users in 2023. By 2016, it had become the primary means of Internet communication in regions including the Americas, the Indian subcontinent, and large parts of Europe and Africa.

Web Search Results

• WhatsApp

  WhatsApp Messenger, commonly known simply as WhatsApp, is an American social media, instant messaging (IM), and Voice over IP (VoIP) service accessible via desktop and mobile app. Owned by Meta Platforms, the service allows users to send text messages, voice messages, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. The service requires a cellular mobile telephone number to register. WhatsApp was launched in May 2009. In January 2018, WhatsApp released a standalone business app called WhatsApp Business which can communicate with the standard WhatsApp client. As of May 2025, the service had 3 billion monthly active users, making it the most used messenger app. The name of the app is meant to sound like "what's up". [...] ### 2009–2014 WhatsApp was founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo! Koum incorporated WhatsApp Inc. in California on February 24, 2009. A month earlier, after Koum purchased an iPhone, he and Acton decided to create an app for the App Store "App Store (Apple)"). The idea started off as an app that would display statuses in a phone's Contacts menu, showing if a person was at work or on a call. Their discussions often took place at the home of Koum's Russian friend Alex Fishman in West San Jose. They realized that to take the idea further, they would need an iPhone developer. Fishman visited RentACoder.com, found Russian developer Igor Solomennikov, and introduced him to Koum. [...] To cover the cost of sending verification texts to users, WhatsApp was changed from a free service to a paid one. In December 2009, the ability to send photos was added to the iOS version. By early 2011, WhatsApp was one of the top 20 apps in the U.S. Apple App Store. In April 2011, Sequoia Capital invested about $8 million for more than 15% of the company, after months of negotiation by Sequoia partner Jim Goetz. By February 2013, WhatsApp had about 200 million active users and 50 staff members. Sequoia invested another $50 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. Some time in 2013 WhatsApp acquired Santa Clara–based startup SkyMobius, the developers of Vtok, a video and voice calling app.

• WhatsApp Messenger - App Store - Apple

  WhatsApp from Meta is a free messaging and calling app used by over 2 billion people across 180+ countries. It's super simple, reliable and private, making it perfect for staying in touch with your friends and family worldwide. WhatsApp works across mobile, tablet, and desktop even on slow connections, with no subscription fees\. Private messaging and calls across the world Your privacy is our priority. With end-to-end encryption, you can be sure that your personal messages and calls stay between you and who you send them to. And no one, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Simple and secure connections, right away All you need is your phone number - no usernames or logins needed. Easily view your contacts on WhatsApp and start messaging. And what's more, you can easily link [...] WhatsApp is an absolute disaster of an app, and Mark Zuckerberg should be ashamed of what he's turned it into. The platform is nothing more than a data-harvesting machine, stealing every ounce of personal information it can get its hands on. From your private messages to your contacts and location, nothing is sacred. The moment you install WhatsApp, you’ve essentially signed away your privacy, with WhatsApp profiting off your data in ways most people don’t even understand.Let’s not forget that WhatsApp shares your data with advertisers and even other entities within Zuckerberg's empire, constantly bombarding you with targeted ads and influencing your every move. The so-called “privacy settings” are laughable at best—they are intentionally confusing and buried deep within layers of [...] WhatsApp’s not bad at all—it’s actually great for what it does. End-to-end encryption keeps your actual messages and calls private (no one, not even Meta, can read them), and it’s super reliable for texting, voice notes, video calls, groups, and sharing pics/videos across the world without paying extra. Works flawlessly on slow connections, syncs across devices, and the disappearing messages + status features make staying connected fun and easy. Love it for family chats, quick check-ins with friends abroad, and even some work stuff—simple, fast, no ads in chats.But let’s be real: It’s owned by Meta (Facebook), so there are legit privacy dangers. They collect a ton of metadata (who you talk to, when, how often, your phone number, IP address, device info), and that gets shared within Meta

• WhatsApp Messenger - Apps on Google Play

  WhatsApp from Meta is a FREE messaging and video calling app. It’s used by over 2B people in more than 180 countries. It’s simple, reliable, and private, so you can easily keep in touch with your friends and family. WhatsApp works across mobile and desktop even on slow connections, with no subscription fees\. Private messaging across the world Your personal messages and calls to friends and family are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of your chats, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Simple and secure connections, right away All you need is your phone number, no user names or logins. You can quickly view your contacts who are on WhatsApp and start messaging. High quality voice and video calls [...] # WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp LLC In-app purchases 4.6star 218M reviews Downloads Editors' Choice Everyone info ## About this app [...] High quality voice and video calls Make secure video and voice calls with up to 32 people for free\. Your calls work across mobile devices using your phone’s Internet service, even on slow connections. Group chats to keep you in contact Stay in touch with your friends and family. End-to-end encrypted group chats let you share messages, photos, videos and documents across mobile and desktop. Stay connected in real time Share your location with only those in your individual or group chat, and stop sharing at any time. Or record a voice message to connect quickly. Share daily moments through Status

• WhatsApp | Secure and Reliable Free Private Messaging and Calling

  WhatsApp | Secure and Reliable Free Private Messaging and Calling Skip to content Home Apps ### Features CallingMessagingGroupsStatusChannelsMeta AISecurity Privacy Help Center Blog For Business Download []( Terms & Privacy Policy2026 © WhatsApp LLC Image 1: WhatsApp Main PageImage 2: WhatsApp Main Page Features [...] Learn more Transform your business WhatsApp Business helps you reach your customers globally to deliver compelling experiences at scale. Showcase your products and services, increase sales, and build relationships all with WhatsApp. Learn more Image 26: screenshot of whatsapp business showing an online grocery store with products for sale Download Download []( Image 27: WhatsApp Main Logo Image 28: WhatsApp Main Logo Download Download #### What we do FeaturesBlogSecurityFor Business #### Who we are About usCareersBrand CenterPrivacy #### Use WhatsApp AndroidiPhoneMac/PCWhatsApp Web #### Need help? Contact UsHelp CenterAppsSecurity Advisories Download Download []( 2026 © WhatsApp LLC Terms & Privacy PolicySitemap []( [...] ##### Calling Stay connected with voice and video. ##### Messaging Say it with stickers, voice, GIFs and more. ##### Groups Messaging features you need to connect in groups. ##### Channels Stay updated on topics you care about. ##### Meta AI Get help with anything, all with the safety and privacy on WhatsApp. ##### Status Share your everyday with photos, videos and voice notes. ##### Security Layers of protection to help you stay safe. Privacy Help Center Blog For Business Apps Log inDownload []( []( Image 3: mother and daughter hugging while holding mobile device Message privately Simple, reliable, private messaging and calling for free, available all over the world. Sign up Log in Download WhatsApp for Mac

• WhatsApp Messaging

  ### Features WhatsApp Main Page WhatsApp Main Page ##### Calling Stay connected with voice and video. ##### Messaging Say it with stickers, voice, GIFs and more. ##### Groups Messaging features you need to connect in groups. ##### Channels Stay updated on topics you care about. ##### Meta AI Get help with anything, all with the safety and privacy on WhatsApp. ##### Status Share your everyday with photos, videos and voice notes. ##### Security Layers of protection to help you stay safe. # Connect in a language of your own A place where conversations can be expressive, fun and entirely you. Messaging on any device with end-to-end encryption, so your personal messages are secured. [...] ## When you need more than just words, express yourself in your chats with WhatsApp features—HD photos and videos, video notes, stickers, and more. #### Share photos and videos #### Share photos and videos Capture and edit everyday moments, even if you’re in a slow connection, and send them as standard or high quality definition. #### Send video notes #### Send video notes Capture the feel of the moment by instantly recording and sharing video messages up to a minute long in the chat. #### Say even more with stickers and GIFs #### Say even more with stickers and GIFs Get creative with searchable and customizable stickers, avatars, and GIFs. #### React with an emoji #### React with an emoji Use any emoji to react to messages and share your thoughts easily and instantly.