Technology and internet search titan Google was ready to acquire mobile messaging app Whats App and went all out to thwart facebook.
Google CEO Larry Page met WhatsApp chief Jan Koum last week in a desperate bid to prevent the deal from materializing.
Page reached out to Koum upon hearing of Zuckerberg’s offer of giving him a seat on the board of directors of Facebook as part of the acquisition deal.
According to a reliable source, Page told Koum, “Stay independent as you’ve always planned. You’re a big threat to Facebook. And joining Facebook would have a major impact on how things play out for years to come.”
Google could easily have outbid Facebook’s $19 billion offer, but Koum reportedly felt that Facebook would give it more independence and the two share the view of bringing people closer.
Google was not pleased to pay such a large amount for the messaging app but was prepared to do anything just to keep it out of facebook`s hands.
According to a report by Fortune cites, Google offered to purchase Whats App for $10 billion, though it’s unclear exactly when the search giant attempted to arrange a deal.
Following the deal with Facebook, Koum would take a place at Facebook’s board and has assured that “nothing” would change for users immediately as Facebook will continue to run Whats App independently just like Instagram.
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