After nearly seven years leading WhatsApp, the outgoing chief announced his resignation
June 22, 2026: WhatsApp is set for a major leadership transition after its chief announced he will step down following nearly seven years in the top role. Looking back on his tenure, he said the platform is now in its strongest position, having expanded end-to-end encrypted messaging to more than three billion users around the world.
The outgoing leader highlighted several key achievements during his time at the company, including the introduction of privacy-focused features across group chats, companion devices, and new platforms. He said these developments helped strengthen WhatsApp’s commitment to secure and reliable communication for users globally.
As part of the transition, he named Indian entrepreneur Kunal Shah as his successor. Praising Shah’s leadership at CRED and his user-first approach, he expressed confidence that the new chief, along with the existing team, would continue driving innovation while preserving WhatsApp’s focus on privacy, simplicity, and trust.