Over the past weekend the hashtag #whatsappdown trended on twitter after whatsapp had a “blackout” when over 450 million of whatsapp users could not send or receive message for several hours worldwide on the 22 February 2014. The whatsapp black-out gave an app called Telegram messenger a boost, as nearly 5 million users signed up instead of opting for other active apps like Facebook messenger.
sorry we currently experiencing server issues. we hope to be back up and recovered shortly.
— WhatsApp Status (@wa_status) February 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/TrendsSthAfrica/status/437320068436090880
February 19th 2014, Facebook announced its purchase of the mobile messaging service whatsapp for $19 billion in cash and stock. Meaning: from the $ 19 billion, $12 billion of Facebook shares and $4 billion in-cash and an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be paid to the messaging app’s founders, Jan Koum, Brian Acton and its employees. Many people suspected that the whatsapp shut down was caused by the millions of users who downloaded the app daily, as reported by the whatsapp team, right after the announcement of Facebook’s purchase.
Here’s what makes whatsapp a good buy:
While, the purchase of whatsapp by Facebook is indeed a commendable and smart move, the whatsapp blackout has left consumers nervous and phone companies very rattled. Consumers are concerned about the Privacy factor – because with the rise of social media users worldwide, whatsapp has ranked amongst the highest growing network and is an easy social network to join; from the use of a smartphone, and by just having a sim card/mobile number.
There are still many unanswered questions about what exactly will change for the millions of whatsapp users, especially a mother or aunt who is not so keen on Facebook, and hesitantly joined whatsapp. Only time will tell.
Also, have a look a things you should know about whatsapp and its future on Facebook.
