Whatsapp now boasts 2 billion active monthly users

As if there was much – if any – doubt about the status of Facebook-owned Whatsapp as one of the biggest messaging platforms available, they now boast 2 billion users. This is roughly 40% of the 5 billion installs surpassed last month.

In a blog post this morning, their team announced the milestone:

We are excited to share that, as of today, WhatsApp supports more than two billion users around the world.

Mothers and fathers can reach their loved ones no matter where they are. Brothers and sisters can share moments that matter. Co-workers can collaborate, and businesses can grow by easily connecting with their customers.

The popularity of Whatsapp stems from the fact that it’s free, cross platform capatible and easy to use. The blog post goes on to discuss – a dig at some of the anti-encryption laws being tabled in a number of countries – the continued plans to ensure that end-to-end encryption for your messages remains in place.

That is why every private message sent using WhatsApp is secured with end-to-end encryption by default. Strong encryption acts like an unbreakable digital lock that keeps the information you send over WhatsApp secure, helping protect you from hackers and criminals. Messages are only kept on your phone, and no one in between can read your messages or listen to your calls, not even us. Your private conversations stay between you.

Strong encryption is a necessity in modern life. We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe. For even more protection, we work with top security experts, employ industry leading technology to stop misuse as well as provide controls and ways to report issues — without sacrificing privacy.

For many users there is a somewhat understandable, inherent lack of trust. How does the documented promise of continued end-to-end encryption affect your choice of whether or not to use Whatsapp?