Google CEO Larry Page reportedly offered to buy WhatsApp in a last-ditch attempt for more than $19 billion, but was turned down
Google is reported
to have offered to buy WhatsApp in a last-ditch attempt for more than $19
billion, but was refused by the WhatsApp co-founders.
Jan Koum and Brian Acton are said to have turned down Google's offer in the
belief the company was only interested in obtaining WhatsApp to keep it out
of Facebook's
hands.
The
Information has reported that Google CEO Larry Page met with Koum a few
days after Mark Zuckerberg had pitched to purchase WhatsApp and for Koum to
join his board of directors.
Page supposedly told Koum to stay independent, as WhatsApp was "a big
threat to Facebook". One of three people claiming to be involved in the
deal said Page claimed joining Facebook would have a major impact on "how
things play out for years to come".
Another speculated reason WhatsApp declined Google's offer is that Koum was
not offered a seat on its board of directors, unlike Facebook.Meanwhile Facebook bought Whatsapp for
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