Zuckerberg expects WhatsApp’s userbase to grow to 2-3 billion

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that a partnership with the social network will allow WhatsApp messaging service to reach a user base of as much as two billion to three billion. However, even if WhatsApp achieves the feat, it will continue to be an independent service from Facebook. Facebook acquired WhatsApp back in February for $19 billion in a combination of cash and stocks, in a deal that was pegged to change the entire messaging technology industry.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has revised his targets for WhatsApp: After previously saying he wanted the messaging app to reach 1 billion users, he’s pushed the number to “2 to 3 billion” during a talk in Mexico City. Last month the company announced that it had reached the 600m active user milestone. “I think WhatsApp is going to be the global text messaging platform,” Zuckerberg said, as reported by Bloomberg. “I think we’re going to have an opportunity for WhatsApp to connect 2 or 3 billion people.” He didn’t make mention of Facebook Messenger, now a standalone mobile tool detached from the main Facebook app. Zuckerberg was speaking at an event in Mexico organized by Carlos Slim, chairman of telecommunications firm America Movil SAB, and he also mentioned Facebook’s Internet.org initiative, which aims to get more of the world connected. “We feel a big responsibility to bring the Internet to more people, even if Facebook has to spend billions of dollars,” he said.