Facebook have just sealed a deal to buy mobile messaging application Whatsapp, which would mean that Facebook have the majority share in the social apps market after acquiring Instagram in 2012. They have said that they will allow the popular messaging app to retain its brand and operate independently although who knows what will happen after control is passed over. The deal includes $12 billion in Facebook shares, $4 billion in cash and an extra $3 billion in Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for employees. WhatsApp boasts some incredible figures, including over 450 million users a month with 70% of those people online on a given day, a message volume nearing the global telecom SMS volume and more than 1 million new registered users a day. Which translates to an essential influx of customers for what some people are calling a dying brand.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg had this to say:
“WhatsApp had every option in the world, so I’m thrilled that they chose to work with us. I’m looking forward to what Facebook and WhatsApp can do together, and to developing great new mobile services that give people even more options for connecting. I’ve also known Jan for a long time, and I know that we both share the vision of making the world more open and connected. I’m particularly happy that Jan has agreed to join the Facebook board and partner with me to shape Facebook’s future as well as WhatsApp’s.”
For full details check out Facebook’s blog post here.
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