We have seen this before and things didn’t go so well for the rest of us using these platforms, Facebook the giant in social media grew so big, got out of control and became a threat to society, that it soon became arrogant, sold user data and manipulated election results. Now we have WhatsApp, the social messaging app many Malaysians can’t live without, which has grown to a 2 billion user base which could end up in similar fashion, and if you’re wondering why we’re paranoid maybe because it’s also owned by Facebook!
Having since buying the application from its founders, Facebook has steadily held on to the investment without making any drastic changes, the reason for that is not of responsibility but more of that the original owners are still on the board and not allow Zuckerberg and cohorts to go back on their words. WhatsApp key fundamental that makes is vastly popular is the assurance that messages send via the platform can never be encrypted. The secured end-to-end encryption the app boasts, is where sets it apart from the rest, allowing users a peace of mind when using the service. Founders of the app have kept this concept in tact even after selling to Facebook.
However one will ponder, it must be tempting for Mr. Zuckerberg and his gang, after paying billions for WhatsApp to find a way to recoup the investment. WhatsApp started with the goal of creating a service that is simple, reliable and private for people to use and to protect the personal communication of those using its services. But for how long, before there is data sharing and ads with messages gets dished out from Facebook. Popularity on its main social platform is waning, the younger users are staying away and authorities are keeping a vigil eye warning governments to be wary of the social media site, pushed back the top management surely will be cooking up tactics to monetise the services very soon.
That’s why not many are celebrating when Facebook announced it has reached a milestone with WhatApp hitting the significant 2 billion user mark, as investors and venture capitals wait at the flanks for the 10x returns, the numbers will now need to show tangible results.
