Google in possible talks to buy WhatsApp

Google may be in talks with WhatsApp to purchase the mobile chat platform for up to US$1-billion. That’s according to rumours reported by Digital Trends. According to the report, the deal started a week ago and the mobile platform seems to be “playing hardball”.

WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by ex Yahoo! employees Brian Acton and Jan Koum. The company delivers more than one-billion messages a day and has more than 200-million users with more than 100-million downloads on Google’s Play store alone.

If the rumours are true, WhatsApp will be the next billion dollar tech acquisition, following Facebook’s 2012 Instagram acquisition. A deal like this will have Google finally able to fully link its various messaging platforms using WhatsApp. Essentially this will allow the internet giant to unify its messaging services — Google Voice, Google Hangouts, Google Talk — making Google a communication powerhouse.

A Google purchase does pose some interesting questions for WhatsApp as the app has remained ad free since its launch. Joining the Google fold could mean pressure to make money may take away some of the fundamentals of the platform. Though WhatsApp has never reported on its financial but sources tell Digital Trends that company is turning over US$100-million in yearly revenue.

Neither Google or WhatsApp have commented on the rumours as of yet.