WhatsApp’s Origin Story: “No Plans to Take on Facebook,” Testifies Brian Acton

Image Source: Startup Talky

WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton has made it clear: before its $19 billion sale to Facebook in 2014, WhatsApp had no ambitions to compete with the social media giant or add Facebook-like features. Acton’s testimony, delivered in a Washington federal court, is a key moment in the ongoing US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust trial against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

Key Highlights:

No Social Networking Ambitions: Acton stated unequivocally that WhatsApp never intended to build a social feed or Facebook-like features. The app was focused on private messaging and had “no ambition to build Facebook-like functionality,” directly countering FTC claims that Meta bought WhatsApp to neutralize a future competitor.
Subscription Model Over Ads: Acton emphasized that WhatsApp’s original business model was a subscription service, not ad-driven. He believed the company could have thrived independently by raising subscription prices rather than introducing targeted advertising—a move he later opposed after Meta’s acquisition.
FTC Antitrust Case: The FTC alleges Meta created a social networking monopoly by acquiring potential rivals like WhatsApp and Instagram. Acton’s testimony supports Meta’s defense that WhatsApp was never a direct competitor or threat to Facebook’s core business.
Privacy and Business Features: Acton revealed he left Meta in 2018 after disagreements over plans to monetize WhatsApp via advertising and the introduction of business features, which he feared would compromise user privacy and encryption.
Personal Regrets: Despite making billions from the sale, Acton has publicly expressed regret, especially after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, even tweeting “#DeleteFacebook” in 2018.

Acton’s remarks reinforce that WhatsApp’s founders envisioned a private, ad-free messaging platform—never a Facebook rival—casting new light on one of tech’s most scrutinized acquisitions.

Source: NDTV, Business Standard, Bloomberg Law