After launching voice calls, mobile messaging application WhatsApp is now offering its one billion users video calling.

According to the company, they are launching this service because they “want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.”

This introduction of video calls is set to rival that of their mother company Facebook, Skype, FaceTime from Apple and Google’s Duo.

Although these rival services have been around for some time now, WhatsApp feature is set to become a major force to contend with.

While not all users will immediately be able to access video calls, it is set to roll out gradually to all its users over the coming days and weeks worldwide.

In August, WhatsApp’s updated its service making it possible for it to share user data with social media giants Facebook. Facebook bought the company in 2014 for 19 billion dollars. The decision was met with a lot of hostility from users who had privacy concerns.

Currently all text messages and calls are encrypted protecting them from third parties.

pulse.com.gh