We’ve been fans of the cross-platform messaging app WhatsApp for some time now, and any long-term user of the app is probably familiar with its creators’ pretty vocal anti-advertising stance. That’s what makes this new rumor about the company all the more interesting, upon word that Facebook could be in talks to acquire the app.

Multiple sources “close to the matter” have told TechCrunch that WhatsApp is currently in discussion with Facebook over a possible acquisition. Since Facebook’s revenue is so heavily ad-driven, it doesn’t exactly seem like the most sensible home for WhatsApp at first, but that doesn’t necessarily mean nothing will come of these negotiations.

Even if Facebook ends up acquiring WhatsApp, it could keep its status as a paid app; TechCrunch actually thinks that the app’s reputation as a popular program users are willing to pay for could be what attracted Facebook, looking to introduce some new non-ad-sourced revenue streams to its books.

For now neither company has commented on the rumors, but considering the potential impact such a move could stand to have on how we use and pay for WhatsApp, we’re quite curious to see if anything comes of this.

Source: TechCrunch