WhatsApp users hit 800 million
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WhatsApp, the messaging service that lets you text other users for free,
now has 800 million active users every month. The app sends messages
over the internet, bypassing a phone carrier’s text messaging charges

Focuses on SMS user experience rather than desktop-first approach of rivals
such as Skype and MSN

July 2009: App launched. Grows by word of mouth using same viral mechanism
as Skype – both sender and receiver must own app

Oct 2011: One billion messages sent in single day

Feb 2014: Facebook acquires WhatsApp for $19bn

Apr 2015

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 800m
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MONTHLY USER COMPARISON

Twitter 288m

Instagram 300m

WhatsApp 800m

Facebook 1.4bn

WhatsApp was founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, both former employees of Yahoo!. Currently available for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone
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Sources: WhatsApp, CNET, Statista, Financial Times, Business Insider

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