Google is in negotiations over the acquisition of messaging app WhatsApp for “close to” US$1 billion, according to reports.
Digital Trends quotes an “inside source” as saying negotiations began four or five weeks ago, but WhatsApp is “playing hardball” over the acquisition price.
WhatsApp last year denied claims it was set to be acquired by Facebook, calling the assertions “not factually accurate.” A TechCrunch story had made the claims “according to sources close to the matter”.
WhatsApp is one of the largest mobile apps in the world, with users in over a hundred countries covering 750 mobile networks, on the iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia S40, Symbian and Windows Phone platforms.
It serves ten billion messages per day, with 100 active users daily, and is the number two paid app on Apple’s App Store, where it goes for US$0.99.
In January, WhatsApp was criticised by Dutch and Canadian regulators after a joint investigation found it was violating privacy principles in relation to retention, safeguard and disclosure of personal data.
