Instagram And WhatsApp Are Changing Their Names

It’s 2019, the year of the rebrand (or reboot, but whatever), and even Instagram is not immune. Apparently, the app is getting a name change, as is WhatsApp. From now on, both will go from their regular, normal, not annoying names, to ‘Instagram From Facebook’ and ‘WhatsApp From Facebook’ …because that will definitely bring a ton of attention back the fledgling site.

According to The Information, who first broke the news, Facebook will be adopting the new names not only within their own app, but also on the Google Play and App Stores, though their name on your phone will stay the same… at least for now. That is, until you open the apps and receive the gentle reminder that WE ARE OWNED BY FACEBOOK.

As for why they’re going about this change now, Facebook said they want “to be clearer about the products and services” that are part of the app. “We want to give people a choice so they can reach their friends across these networks from whichever app they prefer,” said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Our response?

Don’t like it? Slide into my DMs… from Facebook. Thanks.