9781422277331

Introduction

some of these nations, as nearly everyonewhowants to communi- cate has a smartphone and can download the app. The future for WhatsApp looks even more promising. The successful management team at one of the largest and most suc- cessful companies in the world—Facebook—now hold the keys to that future. At the same time, WhatsApp remains independent in its vision to provide a seamless product to its large, loyal fan base. The company has been rapidly adding features to fight off the competition that has risen to take down the industry leader. New owner Facebook is already pointingWhatsApp in a direction that will connect businesses with users, using both WhatsApp’s vast user base and Facebook’s ability to connect interested parties. One of the most ironic features of the position WhatsApp finds itself in is that it was bought by Facebook. Both Koum and Acton, who were the main beneficiaries of Facebook’s $19 bil- lion purchase, had applied for positions at Facebook before they founded WhatsApp—and they were both rejected! Now, they are among the wealthiest “employees” working at Facebook. The story behind WhatsApp is just as exciting as the tech- nologies it has unleashed onto the world. From humble begin- nings to rapid growth, the company has hit a few bumps along the way, some of which have been (and continue to be) contro- versial. However, with Koum and Acton at the helm, WhatsApp has transformed the messaging landscape and has become a true giant of technology.

9