WhatsApp Surpassed Facebook as Most Popular Facebook-Owned App in 2018 WhatsApp Messenger dethroned Facebook by monthly Facebook’s Smartphone MAU active users in September 2018. WhatsApp reached Worldwide mainstream success by disrupting traditional telcos with a free alternative to standard services. Although their value 240 prop has subsequently expanded, this core offering has resulted in continued success in emerging markets where 180 the cost of using a mobile device is still high relative to average income. While the app has been operated autonomously, it has been owned by Facebook since 2014. 120 Notably, Instagram saw the strongest global growth in its Indexed MAU user base at 35% from January 2017 to Dec 2018. 60 The user bases of all of Facebook's properties saw consistent global growth over the last 2 years. Facebook as 0 Jan-17 Apr-17 Jul-17 Oct-17 Jan-18 Apr-18 Jul-18 Oct-18 a company came into the spotlight in 2018 amid data privacy headlines, particularly in the US and Europe. Despite 24-month Growth this scrutiny, it is clear most users prioritized convenience — Facebook 20% — WhatsApp Messenger 30% and their existing app habits over privacy concerns. — Facebook Messenger 15% — Instagram 35% 49 COPYRIGHT 2019