Sundar Pichai claims Google never attempted to buy WhatsApp

WhatsApp was definitely an exciting product. We never made an offer to acquire them. Press reports to the contrary are simply untrue.
If Pichai is telling the truth, it begs a very big question: Was anyone bidding against Facebook? When a purchase price gets to the level of almost $20 billion, it seems reasonable to assume that there was bidding going on. Especially given that WhatsApp was only valued at about $1.5 billion in the last round of funding before Facebook acquired it. The gap between the valuation and purchase can't be explained by generosity on Facebook's part, so either there was a bidding war between Facebook and another company, or Pichai isn't being honest here.
source: The Telegraph
9 Comments
1. fireblade
Posts: 717; Member since: Dec 27, 2013
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 5:58 PM 1
2. karim77
Posts: 70; Member since: Dec 10, 2012
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 6:05 PM 0
6. sprockkets
Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:53 PM 0
7. Blazers
Posts: 766; Member since: Dec 05, 2011
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 11:53 PM 0
9. microsoftnokiawin
Posts: 1268; Member since: Mar 30, 2012
posted on Feb 27, 2014, 2:30 AM 0
3. sipha
Posts: 440; Member since: May 12, 2012
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 6:42 PM 0
4. stealthd unregistered
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 7:28 PM 5
5. AfterShock
Posts: 4147; Member since: Nov 02, 2012
posted on Feb 26, 2014, 9:09 PM 0
8. saiki4116
Posts: 413; Member since: Mar 31, 2011
posted on Feb 27, 2014, 12:07 AM 0
PhoneArena Comments Rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please, contact us.
Comments Options
Report Post
Send a warning to post author
Send a warning to Selected user. The user has 0 warnings currently.
Ban user and delete all posts
Message to PhoneArena moderator (optional):