Who Is Brian Acton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Brian Acton was born on February 17, 1972, making him 53 years old in 2025. He is an influential American business executive, renowned as the co-founder of WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging applications in the world. After selling WhatsApp to Facebook for approximately $19 billion in 2014, Acton has played a pivotal role in the tech industry. His journey to success includes holding significant roles at both Yahoo and as a prominent philanthropist focusing on issues like digital rights and privacy.
| Occupation | Computer Programmer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 17, 1972 |
| Age | 53 Years |
| Birth Place | Michigan, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Brian Acton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Brian Acton's height is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) with a weight of around 170 lbs (77 kg). While specific body measurements are not publicly disclosed, he maintains a fit and healthy lifestyle which is evident in his appearances.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Brian Acton's family background includes a supportive upbringing that encouraged his interest in technology and computing. His relationship status in 2025 remains private, and there have been no known public revelations about a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. Acton tends to maintain a low profile concerning his personal life, focusing instead on his professional aspirations and philanthropic endeavors.
In 2014 Acton and his wife Tegan started the foundation Wildcard Giving, with three sister foundations: Sunlight Giving, Acton Family Giving and Solidarity Giving.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Brian Acton's net worth is estimated to be around $4 billion. His earnings stem from his success with WhatsApp and his subsequent ventures, including his work with the Signal Foundation, where he continues to advocate for privacy-focused digital communications. His salary details remain undisclosed, but it's evident that his investments and philanthropic commitments have led to substantial wealth accumulation.
He was formerly employed at Yahoo!. In 2009, Jan Koum and Acton co-founded WhatsApp, a mobile messaging application which was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for US$19 billion. Acton left WhatsApp in September 2017 to start the Signal Foundation. According to Forbes (2020), Acton is the 836th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $2.5 billion.
Career, Business and Investments
Acton's career took off in the tech industry when he co-founded WhatsApp in 2009 alongside Jan Koum. The app became a global phenomenon, gaining over 2 billion users before its acquisition by Facebook. Post-acquisition, Acton left Facebook to focus on philanthropic efforts and co-founded the Signal Foundation, which promotes privacy in online communication. In addition to his work with Signal, Acton has invested in various technology startups and has become an advocate for open-source development and privacy issues.
Brian Acton (born February 17, 1972) is an American business executive and computer programmer serving as the executive chairperson of Signal Technology Foundation, which he co-founded with Moxie Marlinspike in 2018. Acton also serves as interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Signal Messenger LLC.
Social Network
Although Brian Acton prefers to keep his social media presence minimal, he is active on platforms that align with his advocacy for privacy and technology. He can be found on Twitter where he shares insights related to technology, digital rights, and updates on the Signal Foundation. His professional networks reflect his commitment to fostering open communication and privacy in the tech sphere.
Two years after Acton joined Yahoo, Jan Koum was hired as an infrastructure engineer shortly after he met Acton while working at Ernst & Young as a security tester. Over the next nine years, the two worked together at Yahoo. Acton lost millions in the dot-com bubble of 2000. In September 2007, Koum and Acton left Yahoo!
and took a year off, traveling around South America. They both tried to get jobs at Facebook, but weren't hired.
Education
Brian Acton attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. His educational background laid the foundation for his extensive career in software engineering and entrepreneurship. With an insatiable curiosity for technology, Acton's academic journey played a vital role in shaping his future endeavors.
Acton grew up in Michigan, later moving to Central Florida, where he graduated from Lake Howell High School. Acton received a full scholarship to study engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, but left after a year to study at Stanford. He graduated from Stanford University in 1994 with a degree in computer science.
