WhatsApp Hits 2B Users Amid FTC Antitrust Scrutiny

Variety reports:

WhatsApp now has more than 2 billion users globally, according to Facebook — and the company says it “will not compromise” on the messaging app’s end-to-end encryption, despite warnings from law enforcement officials.

WhatsApp, which Facebook acquired for $19 billion in 2014, uses strong crypto to keep information sent over the service private, “helping protect you from hackers and criminals,” according to the social-media giant. No one, not even Facebook, can read messages or listen to calls on WhatsApp, it claims.

“Strong encryption is a necessity in modern life. We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe,” Facebook said in announcing the 2 billion-user milestone.

CNBC reports:

A spokesperson said “WhatsApp will operate as a separate company and will honor its commitments to privacy and security,” according to a letter from the Federal Trade Commission during its review of the merger.

But last year, Facebook’s plans to integrate WhatsApp with its other messaging services, Instagram and Facebook Messenger, set off alarms for some antitrust experts. The FTC has made clear it’s interested in digging through past acquisitions of tech giants and learning how they emboldened those firms.

Facebook is planning to make the newly integrated service end-to-end encrypted, which has also raised concerns for law enforcement including AG William Barr, who fear further shielding criminals. Barr asked Facebook to postpone its encryption plans and figure a way to provide “lawful access” to law enforcement.