Are Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram Going to Merge Soon?
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The entire social media waters got a strong stir as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced of his plan about merging Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram into ‘single messaging service’ in next one or two years.
Definitely it’s going to be a watershed moment for all three platforms and for the users as well.
But Facebook needs to figure out a lot, the amount of data to be shared between these platforms, as stated by Nick Clegg, the company’s global policy and communication chief. How will these platforms be budged together, stays a question even for Zuckerberg himself. “We’re really early in thinking through this,” he admits.
As reported by Zuckerberg, the merger process would entail to rewriting the basic software of all the three apps in heterogeneous network, so that they can become interoperable.
This may sound simple but snap! It’s not a piece of cake. Of course, the entire melding process is going to face huge technical challenges and infinite questions-marks from law enforcement organizations and privacy researchers likewise.
Tim Mackey, the technical evangelist at Synopsys states “Given the spotty history Facebook have in managing user privacy settings, merging personal information and privacy configurations from three significant applications won’t be trivial”.
Apart from serious security concerns as expressed by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, there’s lot churning inside curious minds. “If Facebook is doing this so it can harvest even more our personal information for profit, it’s yet another reason to be concerned about how corporations are using our data. This is yet another reason to pass a strong privacy bill,” cites Wyden.
Zuckerberg has his own piece of cake to show.
The Perquisites of the Merger – Assurances from CEO’s Desk
The merger is sure to boost improved functionality that would allow the users to enjoy a quick jump from one platform to the other, assures the social media giant.
Consistent End-to-End Encryption
Of all the three platforms, the end-to-end encryption is available only on WhatsApp. It needs to be activated on Messenger and is not there in Instagram at all.
The CEO explains that the unification of all of them will benefit Messenger and Instagram users as well, for they will be able to send end-to-end encrypted messages across these platforms too.
Messaging Across the Apps
The app integration will also allow people to send messages between apps. Zuckerberg explains this using an example of countries where WhatsApp rules, the user will be able to message on Facebook Marketplace via WhatsApp instead of downloading the Messenger first and then messaging through it. Messaging will be a such a duck soup for them!
But, how’s it a good news for Instagrammers?
Better functionality and Security
The merger is planned in an attempt to provide ‘fast, simple and reliable’ messaging experience for the users, according to a Facebook spokesman. Hold on, is it really about users only? Everyone is awestruck!
No matter, how far may Zuckerberg go sprinkling tutti-frutti on the cake, it still needs to bake enough for the genuine aroma.
Matthew Green, a cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University, recently tweeted about his serious concern regarding WhatsApp data getting insecure, as WhatsApp users switch to the platform for closed group chatting, which after the merger may become an exposed pie on Facebook!
While some surmise it to be Zuckerberg’s effort for a better command over all of his empire.
Owing to the declining reputation of Facebook for mining the user’s personal information, there has been a considerable decline in user engagement on Facebook.
According to new survey data from the Pew Research Center (June 2018), about 42% of Facebook users have turned the keys down from daily engagements. In fact, 26% users reported to have simply effaced the app from their mobile screens. What a heartbreak!
The merger plan is speculated to be a master stroke by Zuckerberg, to hook back all those Facebook users, as they sure might be using WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram. People are still wondering about Facebook’s altruistic decisions, which has been a rare scene.
While Instagram and Whatsapp founders step back to ‘explore their curiosity and creativity again’ and take ‘time off the technology’ for some time, Zuck looks forward to take a deep leap into technological nitty-gritties, propounding the idea and facing strong oppositions.
What’s in store for this plan, only time will tell! If you are a business, carry on reaping the benefits of social media marketing while keeping a tab on latest trends!
To know about social media marketing services provided by Tarika Technologies, click here!
Lamuel Datoru Biambo is a dynamic and results-driven leader with over a decade of experience in business development, human resources, facility management, IT and media services consulting.
A techy in online radio setup and production, Lamuel has successfully setup a couple of online radios (personal, community and commercial) and still counting.
As the CEO/CTO of LifeSERV Integrated Services Limited, he managed multiple departments and successfully serviced as a subcontractor for Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd as a Contract IT Manager, Head of IT Support Unit, Media & Events Manager.
Prior to this role, Lamuel served as Group Head of Accounts at Tolobs Marine Services Limited, an oil servicing company where he sourced for clients, liaised with local and international clients to ensure smooth operations, and prepared PDAs/invoices for proposed jobs, as well as liaised with finance departments of local/international organizations and other financial stakeholders.
Lamuel’s expertise extends beyond business management and administration to web development, cinematography, creative writing, and oil and agro consulting. He has developed and managed over 300 websites, administered training to top executives and staff of organizations, and provided ICT consultancy and research.
A hardworking, proactive, and trustworthy individual, Lamuel is a reliable problem-solver with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team. He is fluent in English, his local language Kirike, and elementary French. He has a personal interest in tennis, basketball, soccer, scrabble, music, and cooking. He is happily married with children who loves his cooking skills and every fun moment spent with them.
WILLIAM ANSAH
Head of Africa Operations, Tarika Group
20+ years of professional experience
William Yaw Ansah, Chairman, and CEO, Origin8 Limited in Ghana is an accomplished executive with experience spanning multiple sectors – Publishing, International NGOs, Education, Consultancy, and more.
Most recently, William was appointed as Course Manual Author Monitor for Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana. He was also appointed as a Member of the Management Committee, School of Arts, University of Ghana. He is also a Member of the Institute of Directors Ghana, an Accredited Member of the Institute of Public Relations, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketers, U.K
Over the years, he has been a mentor and advisor to a number of new ventures in Ghana and has trained several organizations such as SSNIT, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Water Company Limited, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme among others.
William has authored a number of books such as Simple English for Senior High Schools in Ghana, Simple English books for Primary Schools in Ghana, and Simple English books for kindergarten, among others.
William received his Master’s degree in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool, the U.K, and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Ghana, Ghana. He started his career in Ghana as an Instructor, Consultant, and later management member of Afram Publications, Sahabia Publications, Comland Ghana, Origin8 Limited to mention a few.
JOE CORONA
Executive Advisor, Tarika Group
30+ years of leadership experience
Joe leads the company’s strategy development and team building processes to formulate and enact the mission and goals. His strategic decisions involve the commitment of various resources for the fulfilment of goals and purposes of the organization, with a positive impact on its various aspects of growth.
With over 30 years of leadership experience, Joe has lead transformation projects, new business ventures, and execution of change management strategies.
In his previous role in C/C Financial Corp, a start-up financial technology business, Joe served as President & CEO. The start-up was scaled up and acquired by a large publicly traded company.
Joe started PeakFormance Leadership Consulting, a leadership and strategy advisory firm that specializes in helping busy executives develop high-performing team and organizations. His experience and proven strategies have helped him lead organization development projects with Fortune 500 companies as well as small to medium size start-ups.
With a strong passion for leadership, Joe has demonstrated the ability to develop cohesive teams, aligned and collaborative teams that achieve extraordinary results. Joe’s passion for leadership and team-building and vast experience enable him to connect with executive leaders and partner with them to improve performance.
Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, and an MBA in Organization Leadership from Walden University. He enjoys spending time traveling, golfing and training for Ironman triathlon competitions.
SACHIN AGRAWAL
Founder & CEO, Tarika Group
20+ years of professional experience
Sachin has over twenty years of experience managing innovation and development of solutions and optimizing complex business processes; Business & Technology Architecture and Integrations. His proficient leadership and exceptional communication skills, technical expertise, combined with industry experience have delivered extraordinary results for his firm and clients.
Sachin instituted Tarika Technologies to support businesses by implementing a strong process-oriented system and the virtual CIO model, managing a team of offshore and onsite professionals. He performs complete business and technology assessment, advises on Enterprise Architecture and provides solutions for mid to large companies, globally. Under his leadership, Tarika Technologies has acquired several key accounts, providing Enterprise Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions (PaaS, IaaS, SaaS), Software & Web Solutions and Mobile Applications.
In addition, Tarika Technologies provides technology and communications infrastructure set up and has successfully launched several products in the ERP, Communication, Entertainment & Media domains. Today, Tarika stands as a global company with presence in America, Asia, and Africa.
Sachin is the CIO to a leading firm in Bethesda, Maryland USA that provides acquisition support services; and technical advisor to the Crisis Center Hotline located in the state of Maryland in the United States. During his career, he also served as Director of Information Technology at a prestigious infrastructure management firm in the DC area providing IT consulting, infrastructure design and enterprise solutions for small to large corporations all around the mid-Atlantic region, as well as governmental organizations. His innovation in business process has led to a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Offices for one of his clients.
Sachin’s keen interest in International business has formed key alliances and relationships worldwide apart from just Technology. In recent times, he has partnered with Origin8 Limited, a leading PR & Advertisement firm located in Ghana, extending all the products and services offered by Tarika to the African region. As an integral part of this partnership, Origin8 will be heading the sales and marketing of EBIMS AirWatch in the West African market; a cloud-based ERP solution by Tarika, supporting the needs in the Media industry providing real time strategic planning, monitoring, management of operations, automation of collections and complete digitization of payments through integrations to local payment gateways. He is also the Chief Technology Advisor for Origin8 Limited, driving advanced digital solutions for clients in Ghana; and introducing customized ERP for businesses across West Africa.
His keen interest in international business has formed key alliances and relationships worldwide in areas aside technology. Other areas of his expertise include managing and streamlining business processes, vertically independent Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure Management, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, high-level network and systems architecture, design and development capabilities of secure distributed applications for both private as well as governmental organizations.
Sachin holds a Master of Science in Information Architecture with highest honors; a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Associates in Computer Engineering Technology from Capitol Technology University in Maryland, USA. In his leisure, Mr. Agrawal enjoys playing musical instruments and practices Haidong Gumdo, the Korean swordsmanship, as a senior martial arts practitioner. His personal blog can be found at www.sachinagrawal.com.
