Watsapp was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton in 2009. later, It was bought by facebook in 2014.After that Brain Acton , founder of watsapp started running Watsapp as a Facebook employee.But in 2017, He suddenly leaves Facebook and his stakes of 850 million dollars as well and quit facebook itself. After few days founder Jan Koum also quits facebook as well.
This thing arises a big question about what happened suddenly and why they both quits the Facebook? And then they designed a new application named Signal ( it is the rival of watsapp) . We always use Watsapp free of cost but the question arises that free to use application with more than 1 billion users worldwide, how's it surviving till date? Do facebook cash burn for watsapp?
Watsapp has secretive dark side which most of the people don't know.
SECRETIVE UNTOLD STORY OF WHATSAPP:
So the story starts in 2009, when Brian Acton applies for a job in facebook. He was rejected, After that he starts watsapp with his friend Jan Koum who is ex-executive of YAHOO. As watsapp is a free to use application so that type of application can earn money only by these three ways:
- Advertising
- In app purchases
- Sales of data
In simple words if you are not paying for the product then you are the product.Intersetingly, both founders were against all these types of earning.isn't it confusing? If they don't like these ways then how watsapp earn money? So in 2010 Watsapp was growing with a great speed and people started using it.
REASON BEHIND RAPID GROWTH OF WATSAPP:
The reason for this growth is NETWORK EFFECT. So look how it's work! For example you have downloaded watsapp today&you can't even use watsapp alone , So you ask one of your friend that you should download the watsapp so we can do conversation here for for free.So he download it and start the conversion with you,after that he suggest this platform to others and in this way a strong network is created.due to watsapp rapid growth, there was a huge problem in front of watsapp that is......the problem is MONEY.Without any revenue watsapp was only surviving on its initial seed capital.Founders of watsapp hated ads so that's the reason they quit it.they were against in purchasing apps, and privacy was their top priority so there is no question on selling data for thier sake. But they needed money to run server.and they also need a team to manage it. At this point, SEQUOIA CAPITAL takes place in this game. they gave million and million dollars and promised that they don't interfere in watsapp. So watsapp took a new business model which is
- Get users first>Get investors >Bring Investors>Raise fundings.
ENTRY OF FACEBOOK:
To solve the problem of money, over reliance google calls watsapp both founders of watsapp in head quater.When owner of facebook( Mark Zuckerberg) reach founders and buy watsapp in 19 billion dollars. But here question arise that the company which is highly loss making&may not witness profit ever why bought by facebook? Facebook is one of the most powerful company in the world and the thing which makes it powerful is SURVEILLANCE COMPETENCY.WHY FACEBOOK BOUGHT WATSAPP?
Facebook bought watsapp for only one reason that is Attention Control Domination.now understand it very carefully . When you install watsapp in your phone, it asks access from you for your data but anyone of you know about which data of yours is being accessed by watsapp.
REAL JOB OF WATSAPP:
The real job of watsapp is to create a data pack of your behavior. So look watsapp access all these things of yours.Your phone number, Your contact list, Your name, Your profile picture, Your gallery, Your audio notes, Your IP address, Your audio notes , Your mobile phone IEMI number,Your login activity, Your location, What thing you purchased, Your financial information, Your phone details, Your IP address , Your camera as well. Watsapp gets access to all these things.
Although , Mark Zuckerberg said in his private message that if anyone needs the data of anyone in Harvard, then come to me i have the data of everyone.Then someone asked that how you manage it all? He answered that people just trusted me and they give me the data ,they are fools. So whenever facebook caught , they only applogize. Now some people thing about end to end encryption. But i tell you one scary thing that is
END TO END CRYPTION IS A MYTH. and i am not saying this .It's being said by ex employees of Facebok &watsapp, So ultimately , when you type a message first watsapp read it after coverting into data codes after that it's encrypted . That's why encryption is a myth.
- Some facts about watsapp which tells it's darker side.
WhatsApp as a Tool for Criminal Activities
The encrypted nature of WhatsApp has made it a preferred tool for criminals and extremists to communicate covertly. Terrorist organizations, drug cartels, and other criminal groups have been known to use WhatsApp to plan and coordinate illegal activities, knowing that their communications are protected from surveillance.
Privacy Concerns and Data Sharing with Facebook
WhatsApp’s integration with Facebook (Meta) has raised serious privacy concerns over the years. While WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which theoretically ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages, it still collects a significant amount of data, including phone numbers, device details, location, and usage patterns. This data is shared with Facebook for advertising purposes, allowing Facebook to create more detailed user profiles for targeted ads.
In 2021, WhatsApp updated its privacy policy, which triggered backlash, particularly in countries like India and the EU, where data protection laws are stringent. Users were concerned about the increasing amount of data shared across the Meta ecosystem, which raised doubts about user control over their personal information.
Misinformation and Fake News
WhatsApp is increasingly being used as a channel for spreading misinformation and fake news, especially in developing countries where WhatsApp is a primary source of news. Since WhatsApp is largely private and encrypted, information shared on the app spreads unchecked, making it easier to manipulate facts or propagate rumors.
In countries like India, the spread of fake news on WhatsApp has led to dangerous consequences, including mob lynchings and violence. Despite WhatsApp’s efforts to limit the forwarding of messages and introduce labeling forwarded messages, misinformation continues to flourish on the platform. This is a significant challenge for both WhatsApp and global governments in combating false narratives.
WhatsApp Business: A Double-Edged Sword for Companies
WhatsApp Business has become a crucial tool for businesses, enabling them to connect with customers more directly and efficiently. With over 50 million users of WhatsApp Business worldwide, companies use it for customer support, marketing, sales, and order tracking. Features like automated replies, business profiles, and catalogs make it easier for businesses to engage with consumers. However, WhatsApp Business also brings with it unique privacy and security challenges.
Businesses are often targeted by hackers looking to steal customer data or use phishing tactics to compromise company accounts. Even more concerning is the potential for misuse of WhatsApp's broadcast lists, where businesses may inadvertently send spam messages to users. This can lead to customer frustration and hurt a brand's reputation. The increased use of chatbots by businesses also raises concerns about data privacy, as users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to automated systems that lack proper security protocols.
Conclusion: Navigating WhatsApp’s Risks and Protecting Yourself
WhatsApp has revolutionized the way we communicate, both personally and professionally. However, it comes with significant privacy, security, and ethical challenges that users should be aware of. Whether you're a casual user or a business leveraging WhatsApp Business for customer engagement, taking proactive steps to secure your account is crucial.
0 Comments