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A lot has been trending in the technology news-space and Facebook seems to be top on that list, with Jan Koum making plans of his own to quit Facebook which he revealed on monday in a recent post.
When whatsapp got sold to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, Jan koum along with Brian Acton both became instant billionaires. Jan Koum revealed that he would step down from his Lead role at Whatsapp to chill off, with plans to splash off on a couple of luxury items like Porsche cars. He disagrees with Facebook on certain issues relating to security and users privacy, also according to Washington Post reports, Facebook is perceived to be fostering the Decryption of WhatsApp technology which Just doesn't end there. It wants to further deepen it's access to users' personal information.
Koum left upon a day's commencement of Facebook's annual F8 developer conference in San Jose. The decision taken by him was highlighted by the Washington Post on Monday afternoon, later confirmed by koum himself. His co-founder Acton, departed Facebook in 2017. He currently campaigns for encrypted messaging app Signal, claiming it could not only be a possible rival but one which could send Facebook spiraling to the ground. He also trumpets the #DeleteFacebook movement.
Possible reasons for Koum's exit are not far from those of lack of agreement between him and other topshots in Facebook over security and privacy of users, with Koum advocating for the continual preservation of Whatsapp's tight security functionality and Facebook opposing it with visions of its own to loose security patterns and extends it's grip of users Profile and Overall information.
Koum had until now been at the helm of affairs at Whatsapp, a member of Facebook board of trustees--one he is certain to forfeit as he leaves the company as outlined by the post report. However, Facebook failed to clarify if he would continue on with his position among the executives.
Thanks to the company's proxy statement, dated April 13, which indicates that Koum stands a chance for re-election come May 31, as this year's annual shareholder meeting is scheduled to hold within the same period.
Facebook in recent past has received showers of distrust statements, following the Cambridge Analytica scandal which saw as high as 85 million users personal information misused in favor of frivolous advertisements. Mark Zuckerberg founder of Facebook wished Koum a farewell message by congratulating him for his efforts and determination in sustaining whatsapp security status.
"I'm grateful for everything you've done to help connect the world, and for everything you've taught me, including about encryption and its ability to take power from centralized systems and put it back in people's hands. Those values will always be at the heart of WhatsApp," Zuckerberg wrote.