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Meta Platforms-owned mobile instant messenger and social media service / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Quick Facts Original author(s), Developer(s) ...
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Original author(s) | Brian Acton, Jan Koum |
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Developer(s) | Meta Platforms, Will Cathcart (Head of WhatsApp)[1][2] |
Initial release | February 2009; 15 years ago (2009-02) |
Written in | Erlang[3] |
Operating system | Android, iOS, iPadOS, KaiOS, macOS, Windows, Windows Phone, Wear OS, Web, Meta Quest (The latter two require one-time verification from the mobile app client.) |
Size | 183.7 MB (iOS)[4] 48.02 MB (Android)[5] |
Available in | 40 (iOS) and 60 (Android)[6] languages |
Type | Instant messaging, VoIP |
License | Proprietary software with EULA "European Region"[7] "others"[8] |
Website | whatsapp![]() |
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The application runs from a mobile device though it is also accessible from desktop computers. The service requires consumer users to provide a standard cellular mobile number.[12] 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.[13]