WhatsApp continues to grow globally following its sale to Facebook for $2 billlion. Active users in India now total more than 48 million, with 4 million new users joining the service every month.
The messaging app connects people from anywhere in the world, using WiFi to send messages rather than data. Following the Facebook purchase, the WhatsApp added free voice calling over an internet connection to supplement its messaging service.
This level of success will definitely be seen as promising for WhatsApp, as India is one of the largest populations in the world and thus a largely untapped market for expansion. Facebook will be happy with the news, too, as it means their branching network of services will be reaching a huge new audience. WhatsApp has also seen rapid expansion in Brazil, Mexico, and Russia--all large markets that both companies will be happy to continue growing into.
The report of 40 million-plus users comes from BGR India, and represents the numbers for February. The latest figures also indicate that the company has reached half a billion total users, a very impressive feat.
Prior to the Facebook purchase, WhatsApp had already been the dominant messaging app on mobile devices. There were concerns about security and privacy among users due to Facebook's perceived reputation for mining personal data, but founder both parties have insisted there is nothing to worry about. WhatsApp will continue to operate independently under Facebook, and its administration ensured users that they would not have made such a deal if they felt it would compromise their values.
Source: CNET
![[How- To] get Whatsapp BETA — gives you an early access to new Features!](https://1779241332.rsc.cdn77.org/data/thumbs/full/70176/396/277/50/40/how-to-get-whatsapp-beta-gives-you-an-early-access-to-new-features.jpg)
