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Nick Summers
Nick Summers is a technology journalist for The Next Web. He writes on all sorts of topics, although he has a passion for gadgets, apps and Nick Summers is a technology journalist for The Next Web. He writes on all sorts of topics, although he has a passion for gadgets, apps and video games in particular. You can reach him on Twitter, circle him on Google+ and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Facebook’s acquisition of mobile messaging giant WhatsApp is complete. After getting the green light from Europe’s antitrust regulator on Friday, the $19 billion deal has formally closed in the US.
Today’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also revealed that WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum is now a board member at Facebook. While few expected the buyout to be derailed by either the European or US authorities, these formalities do mark a milestone for the tech industry.
In short, there’s no turning back for Facebook or WhatsApp. The hugely popular messaging app is now owned by Zuck’s empire and it’ll be interesting to see how, if at all, WhatsApp’s new owner influences the product.
➤ SEC filing (via Engadget)
Thumbnail image credit: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
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