Facebook Buys Whatsapp for $19B
By Bradford Evans
Thursday, February 20, 2014 | 1:45 p.m. PST
The WhatsApp application lets you send video and audio messages. (Fernando Hurtado/ATVN)
Facebook announced Thursday morning that it will expand its social media enterprise with the acquisition of WhatsApp for $19 billion.
The deal will give owners of the messaging application, WhatsApp, shares in Facebook as well as cash.
Launched in 2009, WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging service that allows user to send texts, video and audio internationally.
Like Instagram, which Facebook bought in 2012, WhatsApp will continue to operate independently and maintain its brand, according to Facebook's blog post.
