U.S. number of WhatsApp users 2019-2023
WhatsApp Initially released in January 2009, WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging and VoIP service which allows users to send text and voice messages, as well as offering voice and video call functionality. The company was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for approximately 19 billion U.S. dollars, making the founders Jan Koum and Brian Action billionaires in the process. However, as of April 2018, Acton and Koum had left the company. Both founders had been critical of Facebook’s approach to advertising, user data and encryption.
WhatsApp usage in the United States Despite being one of the most popular mobile messenger apps based on monthly active users worldwide, WhatsApp ranked behind Facebook Messenger in terms of U.S. audience reach. As of October 2018, only 12.1 percent of mobile users in the United States accessed WhatsApp, compared to a 56.8 percent usage reach of Facebook Messenger.