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'''WhatsApp''' is a free, cross-platform instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by [[Meta Platforms]]. The app allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, locations, and other content. Initially launched in January 2009, WhatsApp was acquired by Meta (then Facebook, Inc.) in February 2014. | '''WhatsApp''' is a free, cross-platform instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by [[Meta Platforms]]. The app allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, locations, and other content. Initially launched in January 2009, WhatsApp was acquired by Meta (then Facebook, Inc.) in February 2014. | ||
== History == | ==History== | ||
WhatsApp was founded in January 2009 by [[Brian Acton]] and [[Jan Koum]], former employees of [[Yahoo!]]. The app began as a status update service but quickly transitioned into a messaging platform. It gained popularity for its simplicity and focus on privacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of WhatsApp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/20/whatsapp-history-facebook |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | WhatsApp was founded in January 2009 by [[Brian Acton]] and [[Jan Koum]], former employees of [[Yahoo!]]. The app began as a status update service but quickly transitioned into a messaging platform. It gained popularity for its simplicity and focus on privacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of WhatsApp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/20/whatsapp-history-facebook |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
In February 2014, Facebook, Inc. acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion, marking one of the largest tech acquisitions in history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facebook's $19 Billion Acquisition of WhatsApp |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2014/02/19/whatsapp-sells-to-facebook/ |website=Forbes |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | In February 2014, Facebook, Inc. acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion, marking one of the largest tech acquisitions in history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facebook's $19 Billion Acquisition of WhatsApp |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2014/02/19/whatsapp-sells-to-facebook/ |website=Forbes |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
== Features == | ==Features== | ||
=== Messaging and Calls === | ===Messaging and Calls=== | ||
WhatsApp offers end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling, ensuring secure communication. Users can exchange text messages, voice notes, images, videos, and documents. The app supports both individual and group chats. | WhatsApp offers end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling, ensuring secure communication. Users can exchange text messages, voice notes, images, videos, and documents. The app supports both individual and group chats. | ||
=== Voice and Video Calls === | ===Voice and Video Calls=== | ||
The app includes free voice and video calling capabilities over the internet, allowing users to connect globally without traditional phone charges.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Free Calling Feature |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/whatsapp-voice-calling-feature/ |website=CNET |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | The app includes free voice and video calling capabilities over the internet, allowing users to connect globally without traditional phone charges.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Free Calling Feature |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/whatsapp-voice-calling-feature/ |website=CNET |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
=== WhatsApp Business === | ===WhatsApp Business=== | ||
In 2018, WhatsApp introduced a business-oriented version of the app, enabling companies to communicate with customers, provide support, and share updates. It includes features such as automated responses and catalog sharing.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp Business Features Explained |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whatsapp-business-features |website=Business Insider |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | In 2018, WhatsApp introduced a business-oriented version of the app, enabling companies to communicate with customers, provide support, and share updates. It includes features such as automated responses and catalog sharing.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp Business Features Explained |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whatsapp-business-features |website=Business Insider |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
=== Multi-Device Support === | ===Multi-Device Support=== | ||
WhatsApp allows users to access their accounts across multiple devices, enhancing usability for both personal and professional purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Multi-Device Feature |url=https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-multi-device-support-221844149.html |website=Engadget |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | WhatsApp allows users to access their accounts across multiple devices, enhancing usability for both personal and professional purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Multi-Device Feature |url=https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-multi-device-support-221844149.html |website=Engadget |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
== Privacy and Security == | ==Privacy and Security== | ||
WhatsApp employs [[end-to-end encryption]] by default, a feature implemented in 2016 in partnership with [[Open Whisper Systems]]. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption |url=https://www.whatsapp.com/security/ |website=WhatsApp |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | WhatsApp employs [[end-to-end encryption]] by default, a feature implemented in 2016 in partnership with [[Open Whisper Systems]]. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption |url=https://www.whatsapp.com/security/ |website=WhatsApp |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
The app has faced criticism for sharing user data with its parent company, Meta, leading to regulatory scrutiny and user backlash in several countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp Privacy Concerns |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55634127 |website=BBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | The app has faced criticism for sharing user data with its parent company, Meta, leading to regulatory scrutiny and user backlash in several countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp Privacy Concerns |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55634127 |website=BBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
== Global Impact == | ==Global Impact== | ||
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion active users as of 2024. It is particularly dominant in regions like South Asia, Latin America, and Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp User Statistics 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/280914/number-of-monthly-active-whatsapp-users/ |website=Statista |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion active users as of 2024. It is particularly dominant in regions like South Asia, Latin America, and Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp User Statistics 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/280914/number-of-monthly-active-whatsapp-users/ |website=Statista |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
== Controversies == | ==Controversies== | ||
Despite its widespread adoption, WhatsApp has been criticized for enabling the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially during elections and public crises. Efforts to combat this include limiting message forwarding and introducing fact-checking tools.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Fight Against Misinformation |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-whatsapp-fakenews/whatsapp-introduces-tools-to-combat-fake-news |website=Reuters |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | Despite its widespread adoption, WhatsApp has been criticized for enabling the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially during elections and public crises. Efforts to combat this include limiting message forwarding and introducing fact-checking tools.<ref>{{cite web |title=WhatsApp's Fight Against Misinformation |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-whatsapp-fakenews/whatsapp-introduces-tools-to-combat-fake-news |website=Reuters |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
== See Also == | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Meta Platforms]] | *[[Meta Platforms]] | ||
* [[ | *[[Messenger]] | ||
* [[Signal (software)]] | *[[Signal (software)]] | ||
* [[Telegram | *[[Telegram]] | ||
[[bn:হোয়াটসঅ্যাপ]] | |||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:WhatsApp| ]] | |||
[[Category:Social media]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:08, 15 December 2024
WhatsApp is a free, cross-platform instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by Meta Platforms. The app allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, locations, and other content. Initially launched in January 2009, WhatsApp was acquired by Meta (then Facebook, Inc.) in February 2014.
History
WhatsApp was founded in January 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo!. The app began as a status update service but quickly transitioned into a messaging platform. It gained popularity for its simplicity and focus on privacy.[1]
In February 2014, Facebook, Inc. acquired WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion, marking one of the largest tech acquisitions in history.[2]
Features
Messaging and Calls
WhatsApp offers end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling, ensuring secure communication. Users can exchange text messages, voice notes, images, videos, and documents. The app supports both individual and group chats.
Voice and Video Calls
The app includes free voice and video calling capabilities over the internet, allowing users to connect globally without traditional phone charges.[3]
WhatsApp Business
In 2018, WhatsApp introduced a business-oriented version of the app, enabling companies to communicate with customers, provide support, and share updates. It includes features such as automated responses and catalog sharing.[4]
Multi-Device Support
WhatsApp allows users to access their accounts across multiple devices, enhancing usability for both personal and professional purposes.[5]
Privacy and Security
WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption by default, a feature implemented in 2016 in partnership with Open Whisper Systems. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages.[6]
The app has faced criticism for sharing user data with its parent company, Meta, leading to regulatory scrutiny and user backlash in several countries.[7]
Global Impact
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion active users as of 2024. It is particularly dominant in regions like South Asia, Latin America, and Africa.[8]
Controversies
Despite its widespread adoption, WhatsApp has been criticized for enabling the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially during elections and public crises. Efforts to combat this include limiting message forwarding and introducing fact-checking tools.[9]
See Also
References
- ↑ "The History of WhatsApp". https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/20/whatsapp-history-facebook.
- ↑ "Facebook's $19 Billion Acquisition of WhatsApp". https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2014/02/19/whatsapp-sells-to-facebook/.
- ↑ "WhatsApp's Free Calling Feature". https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/whatsapp-voice-calling-feature/.
- ↑ "WhatsApp Business Features Explained". https://www.businessinsider.com/whatsapp-business-features.
- ↑ "WhatsApp's Multi-Device Feature". https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-multi-device-support-221844149.html.
- ↑ "WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption". https://www.whatsapp.com/security/.
- ↑ "WhatsApp Privacy Concerns". https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55634127.
- ↑ "WhatsApp User Statistics 2024". https://www.statista.com/statistics/280914/number-of-monthly-active-whatsapp-users/.
- ↑ "WhatsApp's Fight Against Misinformation". https://www.reuters.com/article/us-whatsapp-fakenews/whatsapp-introduces-tools-to-combat-fake-news.