WhatsApp has achieved a significant milestone in the US, reaching 100 million monthly active users as of July 2024. This milestone represents nearly one-third of the US population. Despite its global popularity, WhatsApp has faced challenges in gaining traction in the US, primarily due to the dominance of Apple’s iMessage. However, WhatsApp’s cross-platform capabilities have been highlighted as a key advantage. The EU Commission has also mandated interoperability for WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger under the Digital Markets Act, while iMessage remains exempt from this regulation.
5 Key Points
- Milestone Achievement: WhatsApp reaches 100 million monthly active users in the US, representing nearly one-third of the population.
- Global vs. US Popularity: Despite over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp has struggled to compete with Apple’s iMessage in the US.
- Cross-Platform Advantage: Meta emphasizes WhatsApp’s cross-platform capabilities as a solution to the iMessage-Android divide.
- Regulatory Impact: The EU Commission has designated WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger as services that must become interoperable with other messaging apps under the Digital Markets Act.
- iMessage Exemption: iMessage has avoided the same regulatory requirements as WhatsApp, but Apple is required to allow alternative app stores and browser engines on iOS in the EU.
