WhatsApp is a free, cross-platform messaging application that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share media such as photos, videos, and documents over the internet. It operates on smartphones, tablets, and computers, and users sign up with their phone numbers to connect with contacts who also have WhatsApp accounts
. Key features of WhatsApp include:
- End-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages and calls are private and cannot be read or intercepted by anyone other than the sender and recipient
- Group chats that can include up to 100 participants for messaging and up to 32 participants for voice or video calls
- The ability to share various types of media and files easily within chats
- Backup options for chat history to cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive, preventing data loss
- It uses the device’s internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to avoid traditional SMS or call charges, making it cost-effective for international communication
WhatsApp was launched in 2009 by two former Yahoo! employees and was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014. It has grown to become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion monthly active users
. In summary, WhatsApp is a widely used, secure, and reliable messaging and calling platform that facilitates global communication through internet connectivity without traditional telephony fees
