WhatsApp Head Will Cathcart steps down after seven years

WhatsApp Head Will Cathcart is stepping down after nearly seven years at the helm, marking the end of a period that saw the messaging platform expand encrypted communication to more than three billion users worldwide. 

The company has named CRED founder Kunal Shah as its next leader.

Taking to X, Cathcart announced the transition in a personal statement, saying WhatsApp is in the strongest position it has ever been and that the timing felt right to step aside.

His successor, Kunal Shah, is best known for building Indian fintech company CRED into one of the country's leading technology firms. Cathcart said Shah has a deep understanding of the people who rely on WhatsApp and expressed confidence in the existing team.

Under Cathcart's leadership, WhatsApp offered more end-to-end encryption through a variety of features on different devices. These included encrypted group messages and services on companion devices as well as advocating for private digital communication.

Additionally, its user community reached three billion people, becoming one of the most popular messaging apps ever.

Why did Cathcart decide to quit WhatsApp?

In his statement, this was his own personal choice that came at a moment of success for the app.

"I'm so proud of what we have built," Cathcart wrote and mentioned the company’s attempts to protect the right of its users to private communication worldwide.