DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

If you can't beat them, buy them; Facebook acquires whatsapp for $19 Billion

74 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/if-you-cant-beat-them-buy-them-facebook-acquires-whatsapp-for-19-billion.181521/

RohanM
RohanM Original post #1
Feb 20, 2014 at 7:07 AM
:-? :cry:

Source :- If you can't beat them, buy them: Facebook acquires WhatsApp for $16 billion
seamon
seamon #3
Feb 20, 2014 at 9:15 AM
so will it be free now? It says 7 months usage left in mine.
bubusam13
Feb 20, 2014 at 9:38 AM
thats not a good news. I don't want to share everything to facebook.
sujoyp
sujoyp #5
Feb 20, 2014 at 9:51 AM
this is bad news ...now all FB friends will be in whatsapp and all whatsapp messages in FB ...privecy was the reason I started using whatsapp...and now they will be integrated :x
krishnandu.sarkar
Feb 20, 2014 at 9:53 AM
so will it be free now? It says 7 months usage left in mine.

It's free now too. Yeah I know expiry date and all are shown, but nothing is charged ever :p Once you reach the expiry date it'll extend again upto 1 year :p

But this is bad news, FB may do anything, even if free, like other members stated above, privacy is now a concern.
sksundram
Feb 20, 2014 at 9:58 AM
FML... what's going on these days.. I curse you FB
Ronnie11
Feb 20, 2014 at 10:32 AM
God damn it.Why FB why??Prepare for bombardments of ads on whatsapp and yes screw the privacy from hereon.
abhidev
abhidev #9
Feb 20, 2014 at 10:36 AM
They said it will still operate as separate company.... And I don't think they'll integrate whatsapp with Fb messenger
sujoyp
sujoyp #10
Feb 20, 2014 at 10:53 AM
@abhidev I am sure they said for now...but FB will gain money by integrating FB chat with whatsapp ...it will be done someday soon
Hrishi
Hrishi #11
Feb 20, 2014 at 11:44 AM
16 Billion $ !!!!!! waw
$hadow
$hadow #14
Feb 20, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Change has arrived, time to move towards BBM.
anirbandd
anirbandd #15
Feb 20, 2014 at 3:16 PM
what?? nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

fak u facebuk. fak u mark. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Nerevarine
Feb 20, 2014 at 3:52 PM
this is bad news ...now all FB friends will be in whatsapp and all whatsapp messages in FB ...privecy was the reason I started using whatsapp...and now they will be integrated :x

:lol: +1 me too

- - - Updated - - -

Change has arrived, time to move towards BBM.

shhh, they might buy that too
lywyre
lywyre #17
Feb 20, 2014 at 3:55 PM
They have got whatsapp and going to use it as a billboard for fb game invites/posts/photos/likes/updates.

One man's loss is another's gain. Good bye Whatsapp... Hello BBM!
K
Feb 20, 2014 at 3:55 PM
Telegram nice alternative
Hrishi
Hrishi #19
Feb 20, 2014 at 4:55 PM
yeah....f**ing monopoly.
A
ash63425 #20
Feb 20, 2014 at 4:58 PM
like everyone else thinking of privacy issues.... and its $19 billion I think
$hadow
$hadow #21
Feb 20, 2014 at 5:45 PM
It is like Mark Zuckerberg what's app account validity was coming to an end so he thought I should buy WhatsApp for saving my money on its validity extension.
theserpent
Feb 20, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Umm..guys it clearly states whatsapp will operate as it is,It will just be a facebook company,So I highly doubt they will do this intergraton sh!t
R
rakesh_ic #23
Feb 20, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Umm..guys it clearly states whatsapp will operate as it is,It will just be a facebook company,So I highly doubt they will do this intergraton sh!t

I dont think they are dumb enough to integrate FB with Whatsapp as you pointed it out. If they do, they can safely advertise it as RIP whatsapp.
theserpent
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:01 PM
I dont think they are dumb enough to integrate FB with Whatsapp as you pointed it out. If they do, they can safely advertise it as RIP whatsapp.

Exactly.
Both messenger and WhatsApp will live.
Messenger will just take some features from WhatsApp thats it
sujoyp
sujoyp #25
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:10 PM
what I see is just like microsoft bought skype ...now skype can have windows live id as login ID ...your skype chat can be done from live mail ...all skype list can be added to live contact list and skype chat can be read from live mail ID

I just dont want my whatsapp chat to be registered any where other then my mobile ...
harshilsharma63
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:26 PM
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Watsapp is spoilt!
Nanducob
Nanducob #27
Feb 20, 2014 at 6:50 PM
Always wanted FB integration in Watsapp:rolleyes:
M
Feb 20, 2014 at 10:52 PM
I loved the whatsapp simplicity and hated the Facebook privacy issues. Dont know what will happen after this. Hopefully it will be worst :-D
funskar
funskar #31
Feb 21, 2014 at 12:02 AM
F*ck fb n mark..
Time to say R.I.P whatsapp ..
Nanducob
Nanducob #32
Feb 21, 2014 at 12:05 AM
The number of FB haters in this thread is too damn high:):(
sling-shot
Feb 21, 2014 at 12:10 AM
The number of FB haters in this thread is too damn high:):(

Not for nothing though.
BBM is now a sensible option because they have introduced the mobile number based invitation while not allowing anyone to spam you until you okay it.
Vyom
Vyom #34
Feb 21, 2014 at 12:42 AM
I don't justify this purchase. But just like bigger fish eats small fish to survive this news comes as a less shock.

Its obvious that since Snapchat rejected the offering from FB, Mark's ego was hurt in a way that he bought WhatsApp even it meant paying this insane amount for it. Either that or WhatsApp really have the kind of user data that Facebook wants to churn its algorithm on.

Either way, time to move on from WhatsApp.
WhatsApp: You will be missed.
SaiyanGoku
Feb 21, 2014 at 12:56 AM
I just joined Whatsapp a month ago and now this happens. :(

With 19 billion USD they should make it totally free and let it remain ad free too.
anirbandd
anirbandd #36
Feb 21, 2014 at 10:08 AM
I don't justify this purchase. But just like bigger fish eats small fish to survive this news comes as a less shock.

Its obvious that since Snapchat rejected the offering from FB, Mark's ego was hurt in a way that he bought WhatsApp even it meant paying this insane amount for it. Either that or WhatsApp really have the kind of user data that Facebook wants to churn its algorithm on.

Either way, time to move on from WhatsApp.
WhatsApp: You will be missed.

not so fast.. lets see if the terms of use change in the months to come...

- - - Updated - - -

I just joined Whatsapp a month ago and now this happens. :(

With 19 billion USD they should make it totally free and let it remain ad free too.

exactly same case here.. joined ~3months ago.. and now this. :|
T
Feb 21, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Yeah, Facebook bought whatsapp for $19 Billion. Please correct this one. And As per me its good things, but yeah, our privacy on whatsapp we'll lose. The important thing is I just hate ads, but okay on fb. If fb will implement it on whatsapp our life will be hell. Lets hope MArk will come with some new things for us. Congrats Fb to own Whats app!
$hadow
$hadow #39
Feb 21, 2014 at 11:47 AM
But still using BBM will be a pain I uninstalled it last week coz of it's battery drain issue. What's app never drains battery at least in my case.
amjath
amjath #40
Feb 21, 2014 at 4:20 PM
Sh*t I bought the 3 years extension purchase an year ago, my money is wasted :'(

Google reportedly offered $10 billion for WhatsApp | The Verge

- - - Updated - - -

*www.theatlantic.com/technology/arc...t-spent-19-billion-on-a-messaging-app/283959/

- - - Updated - - -

Facebook started showing its colours, but not completely
WhatsApp has released a new update (v2.11.169) for Android that brings with it some new privacy options. You can now choose who can see your ‘Last seen’, profile photo and status message. You can let everyone see it, only your contacts see it or set it so no one can see it.

The iOS version of WhatsApp has had the ability to hide the Last seen status since forever but it’s only now that the Android version received it. But along with it, it also got the ability to hide the profile photo and status message, that iOS version does not yet have.

There are several other changes, as well. The mute functionality has been improved and now finally works as it should. Previously, even if you muted a group, you would still see the notifications. Now, muting the group makes it completely silent and only when you open the app would you know you have new messages from a group. Unfortunately, there is still no permanent mute option and the maximum duration you can choose is still one week.

You can now also pay for a friend. You can choose from 1, 3 or 5 year subscription option and gift it to a friend using Google Wallet, PayPal or sending payment link. Lastly, the notification options for broadcast messages have been removed but you can still send broadcast messages.

The new WhatsApp update for Android is not yet available on the Play Store but you can download the APK from the link below.
*blog.gsmarena.com/whatsapp-for-android-update-brings-updated-privacy-settings/
theserpent
Feb 21, 2014 at 4:34 PM
Wow,Amazing changes :) Love the mute one
dashing.sujay
Feb 21, 2014 at 7:15 PM
I didn't want last seen to be disabled. :|
root.king
root.king #44
Feb 21, 2014 at 7:24 PM
Privacy is just fu¢ked up by fb
Moving to bbm
amjath
amjath #46
Feb 21, 2014 at 8:01 PM
Well, all the new options actually improve privacy, so what's the issue?

If u believe "Facebook is" and "Facebook was" are different, then it will become the same with whatsapp
dashing.sujay
Feb 21, 2014 at 8:27 PM
If u believe "Facebook is" and "Facebook was" are different, then it will become the same with whatsapp

Well I wasn't comparing it to fb, rather commenting on new features in the latest update and their impact on privacy. Personally, I'm against these changes.

PS: regarding is/was of fb, being there from 2008 tells me the story very well.
Vyom
Vyom #48
Feb 21, 2014 at 8:37 PM
WhatsApp have brought in some rather good privacy features.
But.. the only problem is FB.

Since now FB owns WhatsApp no matter how good it becomes it will never be actually good for users.

Tricky!
a_k_s_h_a_y
Feb 22, 2014 at 12:37 PM
the 3 billion RSUs will vest over 3 years if they don't quit...
dashing.sujay
Feb 22, 2014 at 7:27 PM
The good thing about the new setting of last seen, etc is that those who choose not to show, they also won't be able to see other's. Good job, khoon ke badle khoon, may ke badle june :))
sling-shot
Feb 22, 2014 at 8:28 PM
The good thing about the new setting of last seen, etc is that those who choose not to show, they also won't be able to see other's. Good job, khoon ke badle khoon, may ke badle june :))

When you say NEW, how new? A month/ 3 months / 6 months?
amjath
amjath #54
Feb 22, 2014 at 9:12 PM
The good thing about the new setting of last seen, etc is that those who choose not to show, they also won't be able to see other's. Good job, khoon ke badle khoon, may ke badle june :))

Wow that's a shocker
I
Iron Man #56
Feb 22, 2014 at 9:24 PM
Let's hope that they wont sell adds on whatsapp!
Nanducob
Nanducob #58
Feb 22, 2014 at 10:57 PM
hope they will never buy TDF
dashing.sujay
Feb 22, 2014 at 11:15 PM
I'm impressed by nandu's troll talent.
N
nav18 #60
Feb 22, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Flame war against FB.

like everyone else thinking of privacy issues.... and its $19 billion I think

It is like Mark Zuckerberg what's app account validity was coming to an end so he thought I should buy WhatsApp for saving my money on its validity extension.

The good thing about the new setting of last seen, etc is that those who choose not to show, they also won't be able to see other's. Good job, khoon ke badle khoon, may ke badle june :))

hope they will never buy TDF


Nice comments,I am really enjoying the heat. :-D
dashing.sujay nice "Shayari" by the way .
I do not have a phone so I installed whatsapp (3 days ago) on Bluestacks.I am happy that I have't registered yet....If everything goes good in future I might. :-o
T
The Conqueror #63
Feb 23, 2014 at 9:20 PM
*fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/s843x403/1939764_10152212517675102_1536338729_n.jpg
Vyom
Vyom #64
Feb 23, 2014 at 10:23 PM
^^ In that case it was hell of a bad deal for Mark. And a lottery for the 50 employees of WhatsApp.
N
nav18 #65
Feb 24, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Re: Flame war against FB.

Which planet are you from:p?

Hey I assumed that reply will be coming.:-D

I had a phone (with Tata CDMA sim) when I was out of my city for study.I am doing self study at home right now so I gave that phone to my brother.

By the way I got Nokia Asha 501 from DVLUP. :)
amjath
amjath #66
Feb 24, 2014 at 2:22 PM
Millions Flock to Telegram Messaging App After WhatsApp Outage
tkin
tkin #67
Feb 24, 2014 at 4:06 PM
One question that bothers me, FB paid most of the amount with their stocks, which took another nosedive the next day, and keep falling, so how much the deal is actually worth now? And how much would that be after an year? The guys from Whatsapp who agreed to this deal have made a very huge gamble.
dashing.sujay
Feb 24, 2014 at 5:29 PM
Well they can sell it all, anyday they want. That's not actually a gamble, but a fate that you have in your control.

It's not like that fb shares would tumble down to bottom in a day or even an year, so you really can't say it a "gamble".
T
The Conqueror #69
Feb 24, 2014 at 7:09 PM
Off topic, but I'm compelled to post....
*qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-5e60009065379dc16a6e88efca8e6a3a?convert_to_webp=true
gameranand
Feb 25, 2014 at 7:23 AM
Well good thing I haven't started WhatsApp yet and I'll not start now either. :)
Z
Feb 27, 2014 at 6:35 PM
But still using BBM will be a pain I uninstalled it last week coz of it's battery drain issue. What's app never drains battery at least in my case.
True. Even I was carried away with the hype and installed it but after installing I simply found it to be an app that was capturing a considerable amount of space in my mobile. Horrible! there is no comparison between these two apps.
sling-shot
Feb 27, 2014 at 9:34 PM
Off topic, but I'm compelled to post....
*qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-5e60009065379dc16a6e88efca8e6a3a?convert_to_webp=true

Intelligent :) ;-) :-D
Did you also ever wonder if it is made intentionally slow as to increase the time you would spend staring at their ad platform?
sling-shot
Feb 27, 2014 at 9:36 PM
no just want to move away from fb telegram app is the sensible way now.

Just found a small negative for Telegram which otherwise is an excellent WhatsApp clone:
While selecting images to send, Telegram does not use a preview step. Thus you have to decide on the basis of image thumbnails alone which can be quite tricky.