Internet search titan Google reportedly went all out to thwart Facebook’s acquisition of mobile messaging app WhatsApp. According to a report by TheInformation, Google CEO Larry Page went to meet WhatsApp chief Jan Koum last week in a desperate bid to prevent the deal from materializing.
The report cites three sources claiming that Page reached out to Koum upon hearing of Zuckerberg’s offer of giving him a seat on the board of directors of Facebook as part of the acquisition deal. One of the sources says that Page told Koum, “Stay independent as you’ve always planned. You’re a big threat to Facebook. And joining Facebook would have a major impact on how things play out for years to come.”
It goes on to say that Google was ready to outbid Facebook’s $19 billion offer, but Koum reportedly felt that Facebook would give it more independence and the two share the view of bringing people closer.
One of the sources says that Google itself was not too happy about paying such a huge sum for the messaging app but was willing nevertheless in order to keep
it out of Facebook’s hands.
This is not the first time Google has approached WhatsApp. Before WhatsApp agreed for Facebook’s $19 billion deal, speculation was rife that Google also tried its luck at acquiring the popular messaging service.
A report by Fortune cites two separate sources to claim that Google offered to purchase WhatsApp for $10 billion, though it’s unclear exactly when the search giant attempted to arrange a deal. The report stated that the bid came without a promise of a Google board seat, unlike Facebook’s agreement.
Another report by The Information cites three unnamed sources as saying that Google was even willing to top Facebook’s $19 billion offer. Google CEO Larry Page also assured WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum that Google will allow the messaging startup to operate independently and compete with Facebook. However, WhatsApp founders rebuffed the offer as they reportedly felt the company was able to identify more with Facebook’s philosophy.
It also mentions that Google had made an offer to WhatsApp wherein it would get the right to be notified in case WhatsApp entered acquisition talks, in exchange for a sum amounting to millions of dollars. WhatsApp did not accept the offer made a few months ago.
Following the deal with Facebook, Koum would take a place at Facebook’s board and has assured that “nothing” would change for users immediately as Facebook plans to run WhatsApp independently, much like Instagram.
