Facebook opens way for businesses to message WhatsApp’s 1-billion users
NEW YORK — Facebook is laying the groundwork for the free messaging service WhatsApp to begin making money, allowing businesses to message its more than one billion users. It’s the first step towards monetising the platform since Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg agreed to pay $19bn for the popular app in 2014.WhatsApp announced a change to its privacy policy on Thursday that allows businesses to communicate with users. The messages could include appointment reminders, delivery and shipping notifications or marketing material, the company said in its revised terms of service. In a blog post, WhatsApp said it would be testing these business features over the coming months.The strategy is an important step for Facebook as it attempts to make money from its most expensive acquisition. In addition to the messages from businesses, WhatsApp said it would begin sharing more information about its users with the "Facebook family".The data, including a person’s phone number, could be used to bette...
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