Facebook buys WhatsApp in $19b USD deal
PR News
Facebook has just announced the acquisition of the popular messaging app, WhatsApp, for a deal worth $19 billion USD in cash and stocks.
This is the social networks largest purchase to date and could potentially give Facebook a grip on the messaging market. Facebook’s current activity in this sector is the ‘Poke’ app, which will continue to operate.
The deal includes $4 billion USD cash, $12 billion USD in Facebook shares and $3 billion USD in restricted stocks to be spread to WhatsApp founders and employees over a four year period.
The agreement also states that WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will join Facebook’s Board of Directors. However Facebook has assured the WhatsApp brand will not change and the running and maintenance will remain independent.
The infographic by wearesocial below shows us the numbers behind the app:
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