WhatsApp Messenger, commonly known as WhatsApp, is a widely-used American freeware messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Facebook, Inc. It offers cross-platform functionality, enabling users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share various media files such as images, documents, and user locations.
WhatsApp is primarily designed for mobile devices but also offers a desktop application that users can access if their mobile device remains connected to the internet. To register for the service, users need to provide a standard cellular mobile number.
In January 2018, WhatsApp introduced WhatsApp Business, a standalone app aimed at small business owners, allowing them to communicate with customers who use the standard WhatsApp client.
Initially developed by WhatsApp Inc., based in Mountain View, California, the company was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for approximately US$19.3 billion. WhatsApp quickly became the world's most popular messaging application by 2015 and currently boasts over 2 billion users worldwide as of February 2020. It serves as the primary means of electronic communication in numerous regions, including Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and Africa.
Ownership: Facebook, Inc.