Two most popular apps on both Google Play Store and App Store; WhatsApp and Instagram are about to be renamed by their parent company Facebook.
The two apps will soon be known as ‘WhatsApp from Facebook’ and ‘Instagram from Facebook’.
The move by tech giant is meant to enable it to exercise control over the apps and reflect ownership.
According to The Information, the change is to bring the different social media platforms all under the Facebook roof. This is a continuation of earlier decisions to completely re-work both apps so all three can operate together.
Further, Facebook hopes to bring transparency to its operations through the latest move.
Facebook spokesperson confirming the reports said: “We want to be clearer about the products and services that are part of Facebook.”
The new titles will appear in the apps’ listings on the App Store and Google Play Store, as well as on the apps themselves. However, the operation of the apps will not be affected. It is unclear when the change will be rolled out.
This year, New York Times reported that Facebook wants to integrate the messaging services of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger in order to keep up engagement within Facebook’s network of users.
As part of these new changes, staff working on Instagram’s messaging feature Direct, will now report to the team behind Facebook’s separate Messenger app.
