WhatsApp

WhatsApp
Original author(s)Brian Acton, Jan Koum
Developer(s)Meta Platforms, Will Cathcart (Head of WhatsApp)[1][2]
Initial releaseFebruary 2009; 15 years ago (2009-02)
Written inErlang[3]
Operating systemAndroid, iOS, iPadOS, KaiOS, macOS, Windows, Windows Phone, Wear OS, Web, Meta Quest (The latter two require one-time verification from the mobile app client.)
Size183.7 MB (iOS)[4]
48.02 MB (Android)[5]
Available in40 (iOS) and 60 (Android)[6] languages
TypeInstant messaging, VoIP
LicenseProprietary software with EULA
"European Region"[7]
"others"[8]
Websitewhatsapp.com Edit this on Wikidata

WhatsApp Messenger is a freeware and cross-platform messaging and voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Meta.[9] The application allows the sending of text messages and voice calls, as well as video calls, images and other media, documents, and user location.[10][11][12]

The application runs from a mobile device though it is also accessible from desktop computers. The service needed consumer users to provide a standard cellular mobile number.[13] Originally users could only communicate with other users individually or in groups of individual users. In September 2017 WhatsApp announced a forthcoming business platform which will enable companies to provide customer service to users.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Horwitz, Jeff (February 12, 2020). "As WhatsApp Tops 2 Billion Users, Its Boss Vows to Defend Encryption". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  2. ↑ Cathcart, Will. "Why WhatsApp is pushing back on NSO Group hacking". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  3. ↑ O'Connell, Ainsley (February 21, 2014). "Inside Erlang, The Rare Programming Language Behind WhatsApp's Success". Fast Company. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  4. ↑ "WhatsApp Messenger". App Store. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  5. ↑ "WhatsApp Messenger APKs". APKMirror. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ "WhatsApp Help Center - How to change WhatsApp's language". whatsapp.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ "WhatsApp". whatsapp.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  8. ↑ "WhatsApp Business Terms of Service". whatsapp.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  9. ↑ Metz, Cade (5 April 2016). "Forget Apple vs. the FBI: WhatsApp just switched on encryption for a billion people". Wired (magazine). Condé Nast. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Voice calling, March 12, 2015
  11. ↑ "WhatsApp Voice Calling". Forbes. April 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ Rowan, David. "WhatsApp: The inside story". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  13. ↑ "WhatsApp FAQ - Using one WhatsApp account on multiple phones, or with multiple phone numbers". WhatsApp.com.
  14. ↑ "Building for People, and Now Businesses". WhatsApp.com.