WhatsApp is a freeware and cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Facebook . The application allows the sending of text messages and voice calls, as well as video calls, images and other media, documents, and user location. The application runs from a mobile device though it is also accessible from desktop computers; the service requires consumer users to provide a standard cellular mobile number . Originally users could only communicate with other users individually or in groups of individual users. WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum , both former employees of Yahoo! . After Koum and Acton left Yahoo! in September 2007, the duo traveled to South America to take a break from work. At one point, they applied for jobs at Facebook but were rejected. For the rest of the following years Koum relied on his $400,000 savings from Y...