Ask HN: How does WhatsApp make money?

Since, whatsapp doesn't have scrapped the subscription model and the messages are end to end encrypted, what's the main source of their revenue.

I tried looking up many online articles and didn't get a satisfying answer.

I suppose that through their Business API, but given the amount facebook paid for them and the scale at which they operate, I don't think that would be enough to cover their costs.

Whatsapp didn't have end-to-end encryption until April 2016.

The app used to cost €0.89 per year (which I guess was $1 at the time).

I'd be surprised if Facebook had bought WhatsApp looking for revenue. Even if the service is operating at a loss, it's still providing FB the messages (at the very least, their metadata) and personal data of two billion people.

How will they get any messages if they are end to end encrypted?

By using your conversation metadata, to sell you better ads or sell the data to other advertisers.

>b-b-but it's encrypted!

Doesn't matter. They know who you are, because your account is linked to your FB account (either directly or just by matching your phone number). Then you send them your full contact list when you install the app (have you tried using WhatsApp without the Contacts permission?). Then they can see metadata about who you talk to and how often.

Pulling up those advertising profiles, they can add to your profile: for example, if a good portion of the contacts you talk to daily have "interested in cars"/"republican"/"male 25-29" in their profile, there's a good chance you fall into those categories too.