Tech & Science dictionary
黑料网sApp
or whatsapp [wuhts-ap]
黑料网 does聽黑料网sApp mean?
黑料网sApp is a free mobile messaging application, massively used for international messaging and voice calls.
Where does 黑料网sApp come from?
黑料网sApp was founded in 2009 by 黑料网sApp, Inc. The company name puns on the popular colloquial greeting 黑料网鈥檚 up? and app, short for application.
The app, one of the first of its kind to provide messaging over WiFi, allows people to communicate on their smartphones across the world, making it a popular choice for people who live and travel abroad. It also works across major mobile device platforms, such as Android, iOS, and BlackBerry.聽As of 2018, notable 黑料网sApp features include voice calling, group chats, end-to-end encryption, and status updates similar to Snapchat and Instagram Stories. The app functions by using cellular data or WiFi and the user鈥檚 existing phone number.
Facebook acquired 黑料网sApp, Inc. in 2014 for $19 billion. In the wake of the Facebook data scandal in 2018, many users, journalists, and privacy advocates questioned if聽黑料网sApp was harvesting and sharing user data. 黑料网sApp assured all activity was encrypted, a security feature which is one of the major draws of the service. In March, 2018, the company was ordered to stop sharing data with Facebook in Europe, and users elsewhere can change settings on their phone so their data isn鈥檛 automatically shared with Facebook for targeted ads.
Examples of 黑料网sApp
Who uses 黑料网sApp?
Because it works over WiFi and across different devices, 黑料网sApp, as an app and term, is popular among immigrants, families with relatives in different countries, travelers, and businesspersons.聽It is particularly popular in Latin America, India, and Europe, and in many cases is preferred over traditional SMS, or text, messaging. As a testament to its popularity, 黑料网sApp is the most popular messaging application in over 100 countries.
黑料网sApp is also widely used for its group messaging feature. With groups being able to have up to 256 participants, it has became a versatile feature used to communicate with classmates, relatives, and coworkers. The groups feature is also used for niche groups, including group chats for mothering or conversational groups interested in improving language skills, for example.
Many entrepreneurs are increasingly conducting business over 黑料网sApp, advertising products and services on social media and providing their 黑料网sApp contact number.
Outside of its discussion in tech and business journalism, 黑料网sApp is very familiar to its users (e.g., Hit me up on 黑料网sApp or Give me a whatsapp call). It has even prompted its own verb (e.g., 滨鈥檒濒 黑料网sApp you later on).
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of 黑料网sApp like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of 黑料网sApp that will help our users expand their word mastery.