How WhatsApp Makes Money: The INSANE Story of WhatsApp

This is the first episode in a new series on this channel, "Crazy But True: Business Stories That Feel Like Movies". It tells the full story of WhatsApp, but framed around one key question: How Does WhatsApp REALLY Make Money? I hope you enjoy. 😁 EDIT: Wow, thank you for all the comments & support! Just wanna address some concerns that I saw a couple of people ask: 1. "Are you sponsored by Signal?" No. I am in no way affiliated with Signal whatsoever, and don't even have the app myself. There are lots of other alternatives to Signal, I only mentioned it because it seemed to have very positive perceptions in online privacy communities (plus it's part of the story, since it was created by the original WhatsApp founder). 2. "Why are you advertising a VPN?" - A VPN is not some magic pill to all privacy issues, but personally I believe you're better to have a VPN (from a trusted provider) than not. But you don't necessarily NEED one; you can research it and decide for yourself. They didn't pay me to say anything (I just used an affiliate link in the description to an established VPN). 3. "There's nothing wrong with Whatsapp" - Whatsapp IS a great service. If you go to the end of the video, you'll see that I do say MOST companies collect your data for all kinds of reasons. For many people, continuing to use WhatsApp is totally fine. Really, it comes down to how much you trust Facebook. Clearly the original founders don't, but I am not saying you need to delete Whatsapp. I just think its worth being aware of the story behind it all. I hope you enjoy! New videos like this coming soon! :_HappyElon:

"if you're not paying for the product you are the product" so true

It's an incredible talent to explain a whole 30-seconds concept in just 30 minutes.

"protect privacy" is something near impossible in this era

I have watched so many of these documentaries today and I can't stop. These are so well produced and thorough, please don't stop making these!!

Same people who are concerned with privacy have no issues having Alexa in their home.

It's not the moral question about sharing our own data - it's the immorality of WhatsApp collecting other people's data through my phone without my or their consent. This is what the EU data protection legislation was about.

“If you are not paying for the product, YOU are the product.” Wow this was eye opening. As a content creator (TikTok, IG, YouTube) I have no choice but to not care about my privacy. I’m in too deep.

What annoys me is that there is no option to pay. I would gladly pay for a Youtube, Google or Facebook that does not collect my data but that simply does not exist.

I have a funny feeling this is going to get more views.

holy crap what a video eye opening thanks for creating this

I love the storytelling, the script, the animations. But most all the narrator's pronunciation of words at the end of every sentence. I'm definitely subscribing and telling the world about this channel ❤❤

very true. my sister and i were speaking about a product which she didnt even search for but it came up as an advert on her social media. since then we were like ''is our phones listening to our convos as well''

I never made comments about how underrated a channel but this will be my first. The video quality blew my mind and you kept me hooked till the end. I really do hope you get the recognition you deserves one day.

Absolute masterpiece brother🙂 I'm out of words to explain how insane the editing and Storytelling is! It's crazy and I'm honoured to be one of your oldest subs. Love from India, Have a nice day John.

When it comes to privacy I, as a 36 year old have really never known "true privacy" since I hit my early to mid 20s. When I was a kid in the mid to late 90s....privacy was still possible. However as my generation came of age and algorithms became king privacy started to become something that "used to be." I don't really see much of an issue here as a regular person. However if I were running a big enough business or if I was working on very secretive projects I certainly would want to be much more careful with my information. It all comes down to each individual what we deem acceptable for ourselves in terms of privacy and risk.

You’ve made really incredible videos and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. The amount of research you put into them is pretty incredible. Keep up the awesome work!

"free" is dangerous since you loose control. If you pay for something you can make demands about the product...

Gotta say man, you and your team put together videos so well. So much thought, so many details that I wouldn't even doubt you missed any. Thank you for this, another push for me to delete my Facebook. Im a new subscriber but damn I wish I found your content sooner! Thank you Downloading Signal right now 🙌

My life is very uninteresting, I got nothing to hide