Viber is a popular messaging and calling app used by millions of people worldwide. It allows users to send messages, make free voice and video calls, and share photos and videos over the internet. But have you ever wondered who owns Viber?
The company behind Viber is Rakuten, Inc., a large technology and e-commerce company based in Japan. Rakuten bought Viber in 2014 for $900 million. Since then, Viber has been officially called Rakuten Viber and continues to compete with other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.
Who Owns Viber?
Viber is owned by Rakuten, Inc., a Japanese multinational company that operates in different industries, including:
- E-commerce (like Amazon)
- Online banking and financial services
- Digital marketing
- Telecommunications
Rakuten is one of the biggest companies in Japan and is sometimes called the “Amazon of Japan” because of its large online marketplace.
When Did Rakuten Buy Viber?
- In February 2014, Rakuten announced that it had bought Viber for $900 million.
- The company wanted to expand into the messaging and communication industry.
- At the time, Viber had over 300 million users worldwide, making it an attractive purchase.
Since then, Rakuten Viber has grown and introduced many new features to compete with apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.
History of Viber: Who Created It?
Viber was not originally Japanese. It was created by two Israeli entrepreneurs, Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinnik, in 2010.
Founders of Viber
- Talmon Marco (CEO) – An Israeli-American businessman and tech entrepreneur.
- Igor Magazinnik – A technology expert and co-founder.
They wanted to create an app that allowed people to make free international calls using the internet, similar to Skype but with better quality and ease of use.
Why Did Rakuten Buy Viber?
When Rakuten bought Viber in 2014, many people were surprised. But there were three main reasons why Rakuten wanted Viber:
- Expanding into Digital Services
- Rakuten wanted to grow beyond e-commerce and enter the digital communication market.
- Messaging apps were becoming very popular, and Viber had millions of users.
- Competing with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger
- WhatsApp was bought by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for $19 billion.
- Rakuten saw this as a big business opportunity and decided to buy Viber to compete.
- Connecting with Rakuten’s Business Ecosystem
- Rakuten owns many businesses, including online shopping, banking, and mobile services.
- By integrating Viber, Rakuten could offer more services through the app, such as payments and advertising.
What is Rakuten Viber Today?
Since Rakuten bought Viber, the app has continued to improve and grow. Some of its key features include:
✔ Free text messaging – Send unlimited messages to friends and family.
✔ Voice and video calls – Make high-quality calls anywhere in the world.
✔ Stickers and GIFs – Fun ways to express yourself.
✔ Group chats – Chat with multiple people at once.
✔ Viber Out – Allows users to call landlines and mobile numbers worldwide at low rates.
✔ End-to-End Encryption – Ensures private and secure conversations.
How Many People Use Rakuten Viber?
- As of 2024, Viber has over 1 billion registered users worldwide.
- It is especially popular in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Is Viber Safe?
- Security and privacy are very important for messaging apps. Rakuten Viber offers end-to-end encryption, which means:
- Only you and the person you are chatting with can read the messages.
- Even Viber itself cannot see or access your messages.
- Calls and group chats are also encrypted for extra security.
This makes Viber a good choice for people who care about privacy and data security.
Final Thoughts: Who Owns Viber?
✔ Viber is owned by Rakuten, Inc., a big technology company from Japan.
✔ Rakuten bought Viber in 2014 for $900 million.
✔ The app was originally created in 2010 by Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinnik.
✔ Today, Rakuten Viber has over 1 billion users and continues to compete with WhatsApp and Telegram.
Viber is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, and its strong privacy features make it a trusted choice for millions of people. Whether you use it for chatting with friends, making international calls, or sending fun stickers, Viber remains a strong player in the world of digital communication! 🚀