WhatsApp encryption, business features, and policy controversies (2009–2021)

1. WhatsApp Inc. incorporated in California

   Feb 24, 2009Labels: Jan Koum, WhatsApp Inc

   • WhatsApp Wiki
   • Britannica

2. WhatsApp launches on iPhone App Store

   May 1, 2009Labels: iPhone App, WhatsApp

   • WhatsApp Wiki
   • Britannica

3. Facebook announces plan to acquire WhatsApp

   Feb 19, 2014Labels: Facebook, WhatsApp

   • Meta Newsroom

4. Facebook completes the WhatsApp acquisition

   Oct 6, 2014Labels: Facebook, WhatsApp

   • TechCrunch
   • Meta Newsroom

5. WhatsApp partners with Open Whisper Systems

   Nov 18, 2014Labels: Open Whisper, Signal Protocol

   • Signal Protocol Wiki
   • Open Whisper Wiki

6. WhatsApp rolls out Voice Calling feature

   Mar 31, 2015Labels: Voice Calling, WhatsApp

   • WhatsApp Wiki
   • TechCabal

7. WhatsApp completes default end-to-end encryption

   Apr 5, 2016Labels: End-to-end encryption, Open Whisper

   • TechCrunch
   • EFF

8. WhatsApp updates policy to share data with Facebook

   Aug 25, 2016Labels: WhatsApp, Facebook

   • WIRED
   • Android Police

9. WhatsApp adds two-step verification for accounts

   Feb 10, 2017Labels: Two-step verification, WhatsApp

   • WIRED
   • Android Police

10. WhatsApp launches Status stories feature

    Feb 20, 2017Labels: Status, WhatsApp

    • TechCrunch
    • Signal Protocol Wiki

11. WhatsApp launches WhatsApp Business app

    Jan 18, 2018Labels: WhatsApp Business, business profiles

    • TechCrunch
    • WhatsApp Wiki

12. WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy update triggers backlash

    Jan 6, 2021Labels: Privacy update, WhatsApp

    • Ars Technica
    • WIRED

13. WhatsApp delays enforcement of new privacy terms

    Jan 15, 2021Labels: Policy delay, WhatsApp

    • TechCrunch

14. May 15 deadline becomes a long-term trust marker

    May 15, 2021Labels: May 15, WhatsApp

    • TechCrunch
    • WIRED