Facebook completes $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp

Facebook has completed its $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp. The deal was swiftly finalized following the approval by the European Union on Friday. WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will sit on the Facebook Board of Directors.

Facebook's acquisition of the messaging company was originally announced early this year. There were some initial concerns with the purchase, especially regarding user data and privacy. Government regulators in both the United States and Europe also questioned the effect this purchase would have on competition in the messaging space.

Will you continue to use WhatsApp now that it has officially been acquired? Sound off in the comments.

Source: SEC, via Engadget

Joseph Keller