Brian Acton on corporate ethics

About Brian Acton

Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp and the Signal Foundation, has spoken publicly about his departure from Facebook and his focus on privacy-focused communication. Acton left Facebook in 2017 after disagreements over monetization and data use, saying he told executives, "It's better if I get out of your way, and I did." He estimated that the decision cost him $850 million in unvested stock. In March 2018, he tweeted "It is time. #DeleteFacebook" amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Acton has since described himself as "the David going against the Goliath that I created" and said he stands on his principles regarding advertising and user tracking. Acton has promoted Signal as a nonprofit alternative to WhatsApp, emphasizing that the app collects minimal user data. He stated, "If you start from a position of 'we have no information,' you're automatically protecting people's privacy." He noted that Signal is financed through grants and donations, not data collection or advertising. Acton has said he does not aim to directly compete with WhatsApp in areas like business messaging, and that competition between messaging apps benefits users by driving innovation. He has also described Signal's growth as exceeding his expectations, including in India, and said the foundation's goal is to become self-sustaining over time.

Profile compiled from Brian Acton's verified public interviews and appearances. See all quotes & transcripts →