INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
WhatsApp has some 1.5 billion users around the world.Facebook on Wednesday set out to make money from WhatsApp with a scheme to connect
businesses with customers via the smartphone messaging service. Facebook said it has been testing a "WhatsApp Business" tool for months
with more than 90 companies including Uber and Singapore Airlines. "We're introducing a solution for businesses that require more powerful
tools to chat on WhatsApp and a new way for people to quickly start a WhatsApp conversation from an ad on Facebook," the leading social
network said in an online post.WhatsApp Business lets companies send "non-promotional" content such as shipping information, charging for
confirmed deliveries.Companies will be able to respond free to questions or comments sent to them on WhatsApp, as long as the responses are
fired off within 24 hours
Tardy responses by businesses will incur costs.Some Facebook ads will also feature an easy way to initiate WhatsApp conversations with the
businesses."Facebook Ads that click to WhatsApp help people discover your business, help you engage with them to explain your product or
service and grow a relationship," the social network's team said.Facebook has long been testing ways to make money from WhatsApp, which it
bought in early 2014 in a deal valued at $19 billion.Growth has been the priority at WhatsApp, which now boasts some 1.5 billion users
around the world."You will continue to have full control over the messages you receive," Facebook promised WhatsApp users."Businesses will
pay to send certain messages so they are selective and your chats don't get cluttered."Messages will remain encrypted end-to-end, with
people able to block businesses if they wish
Facebook planned to gradually make the new tool available to more businesses, focusing first on companies with strong need to manage
customer communications.Facebook shares plummeted last week on disappointing results.Sentiment was also dented by the downcast outlook for
Facebook, which signaled it expects slower user growth, partly due to the effect of data privacy scandals
Profits will also likely be hit by costly investments to address the problems.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by
TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
