Mark Zuckerberg appears to be taking steps to integrate the back-end infrastructure of Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, aligning them with Facebook's social network. Facebook has confirmed this move, which is seen as a significant shift from Zuckerberg's earlier commitment to maintain the autonomy of these platforms.
This integration has the potential to benefit billions of users by simplifying cross-app communication. However, it is also seen as a signal that Zuckerberg is exerting more control over these formerly independent services, especially in light of the departures of Instagram's Kevin Systrom and WhatsApp's Jan Koum.
The consolidation project is expected to take several years and involves thousands of Facebook employees working on reconfiguring the core messaging infrastructure of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. Despite this integration, each app will continue to operate independently. Zuckerberg has also ordered the integration of end-to-end encryption, enabling users to send encrypted messages between the apps, something that is currently not possible due to their separation.
This move raises questions regarding the security and regulatory implications of running these services on the same infrastructure and what it means for the over 2.5 billion users of these platforms.
While Zuckerberg's plan aligns with the strategic direction of Facebook, it contrasts with his earlier promises to Instagram and WhatsApp founders to maintain their autonomy. In 2012, when Facebook acquired Instagram, Zuckerberg pledged to keep it independent. A similar promise was made when Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion. However, both Instagram and WhatsApp founders have since left the companies and were replaced by Zuckerberg's associates.
Over the past year, Facebook has been gradually linking Instagram more closely with its ecosystem, leading to concerns about the erosion of Instagram's independence. WhatsApp, too, has faced criticism for integrating ads and business messaging features.
While Instagram and WhatsApp remain technically separate services with standalone apps, the long-term project to unify their technical infrastructure with Facebook's reveals a shift away from their cherished independence.