messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Facebook, Inc.[43] It
allows users to send text messages and voice messages,[44] make voice and
video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other
media.[45][46] WhatsApp's client application runs on mobile devices but is
also accessible from desktop computers, as long as the user's mobile device
remains connected to the Internet while they use the desktop app.[47] The
service requires users to provide a standard cellular mobile number for
registering with the service.[48] In January 2018, WhatsApp released a
standalone business app targeted at small business owners, called WhatsApp
Business, to allow companies to communicate with customers who use the
standard WhatsApp client.[49][50]
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp.svg
Original author(s)
Brian Acton, Jan Koum
Developer(s)
WhatsApp Inc. (Facebook, Inc.)
Initial release
January 2009; 11 years ago
Stable release(s) [±]
iOS 2.20.21 / February 4, 2020; 30 days ago[1]
Android 2.20.47 / February 18, 2020; 16 days ago[2]
Preview release(s) [±]
iOS (Beta) 2.20.20.20 / January 28, 2020; 37 days ago
Android (Beta) 2.20.25 / January 28, 2020; 37 days ago[3]
Written in
Erlang[4]
Operating system
Android, iOS, KaiOS (there are Windows, macOS and web app clients that work
only in presence of a connected mobile app client)
Size
137.5 MB (iOS)[5]
22.88 MB (Android)[6]
Type
Instant messaging
License
Proprietary software with EULA ("European Region", others)
Alexa rank
Positive decrease 72 (January 2020)[7]
Website
WhatsApp.com
WhatsApp Inc.
WhatsApp logo.svg
Type
Subsidiary
Founded
February 24, 2009; 11 years ago
Founders
Jan Koum
Brian Acton
Headquarters
Mountain View, California, United States
Key people
Chris Daniels (CEO)
Number of employees
50
Parent
Facebook, Inc.
Website
WhatsApp.com
Footnotes / references
[8][9]
The client application was created by WhatsApp Inc. of Mountain View,
California, which was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for
approximately US$19.3 billion.[51][52] It became the world's most popular
messaging application by 2015,[53][54] and has over 2 billion users
worldwide as of February 2020.[55] It has become the primary means of
electronic communication in multiple countries and locations, including
Latin America, India, Pakistan and large parts of Europe, including the
United Kingdom, Spain, and France.[53]
