who owns whatsapp

WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc. Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, making it a subsidiary of Meta. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, has significant influence over WhatsApp through his leadership and ownership stake in Meta. While WhatsApp retains its branding and user base, it operates under Meta's broader ecosystem that includes Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.