Viber

File:Rakuten Viber new 2017 logo.png

Viber Media was founded in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2010 by Talmon MarcoHenry Mance. [https://www.ft.com/content/6bc24706-9555-11e3-8371-00144feab7de Six things to know about Viber]. Financial Times. 14 February 2014. and Igor Magazinnik.{{cite web |url= http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-23/the-skype-killers-of-belarus |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120824154748/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-23/the-skype-killers-of-belarus |url-status= dead |archive-date= 24 August 2012 |title=The Skype Killers of Belarus |author=Brett Forrest |date= 23 August 2012 |website=Bloomberg}}{{subscription required}} Marco and Magazinnik are also co-founders of the peer-to-peer media and file-sharing client iMesh.{{cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/in/talmonmarco |title= Talmon Marco's profile on LinkedIn |access-date=18 February 2018}} The company was run from Israel and was registered in Cyprus. Sani Maroli and Ofer Smocha soon joined the company as well.{{cite web |author=Jessica Geller |url=http://www.betaboston.com/news/2015/10/16/messaging-app-viber-names-boston-its-us-headquarters/ |title=Messaging app Viber names Boston its US headquarters |work=The Boston Globe |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=25 August 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112307/http://www.betaboston.com/news/2015/10/16/messaging-app-viber-names-boston-its-us-headquarters/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url= http://www.calcalist.co.il/internet/articles/0,7340,L-3624299,00.html |title= אקזיט ענק: רקוטן היפנית רוכשת את וייבר תמורת כ-900 מיליון דולר |language= he |trans-title=A huge exit: Japanese Rakuten buys Weaver for $ 900 million |author=Assaf Gilad |date=14 February 2014 |work=כלכליסט - Calcalist |access-date=16 May 2015}}{{cite web |author=Hillel Koren |date=14 February 2014 |title=Viber sold for $900m |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-viber-sold-for-900m-1000917259 |work=Globes}}{{cite web |url= http://viber.com/dmca.html |title= DMCA Policy |publisher= Rakuten |work= Viber |access-date= 16 May 2015 |archive-date= 1 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140301141710/http://www.viber.com/dmca.html |url-status= dead }}{{cite web |url= https://foursquare.com/v/viber/4fd5cd0be4b0352ac5282b1f |title= Viber Media |work=Foursquare |access-date=16 May 2015}}{{cite web |url= http://israel21c.org/technology/top-10-iphone-apps-from-israel/ |title= Top 10 iPhone apps from Israel |author=Brian Blum |date=24 March 2011 |work=Israel21c |access-date=16 May 2015}} Marco said Viber allows instant calling and synchronization with contacts because the ID is the user's cell number.{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/02/viber-iphone/ |title= Viber For iPhone Aims To Rival Skype's App, Is Amazingly Amazing |website= TechCrunch |date= 2 December 2010 }}

In its first two years of availability, Viber did not generate revenues. It began doing so in 2013, via user payments for Viber Out voice calling and the Viber graphical messaging "sticker market". The company was originally funded by individual investors, described by Marco as "friends and family".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/30/viber-founder-talmon-marco-privacy|title=Viber founder: 'People should be concerned about privacy' |author=Juliette Garside |date=30 August 2013 |work=The Guardian}} They invested $20 million in the company, which had 120 employees {{as of|2013|May|lc=y}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2013/05/07/free-calling-app-viber-jumps-to-desktop-hits-200-million-users/|title=Free-Calling App Viber Jumps To Desktop, Hits 200 Million Users|author=Parmy Olson|date=7 May 2013 |work=Forbes|access-date=16 May 2015}}

On 24 July 2013, Viber's support system was defaced by the Syrian Electronic Army. According to Viber, no sensitive user information was accessed.{{cite news|last=Crook|first=Jordan|website= TechCrunch |title=Viber Attacked By Syrian Electronic Army|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/23/viber-attacked-by-syrian-electronic-army/ |date= 23 July 2013 |access-date= 2019-03-08}}

On 13 February 2014, Rakuten announced they had acquired Viber Media for $900 million.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/13/japanese-internet-giant-rakuten-acquires-viber-for-900m/ | title=Japanese Internet Giant Rakuten Acquires Viber For $900M | work=TechCrunch | date=13 February 2014 | access-date=14 February 2014}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140213006561/en/Rakuten-Acquires-Viber-900-million |title = Rakuten Acquires Viber for $900 million|date = 14 February 2014}} The sale of Viber earned the Shabtai family (Benny, his brother Gilad, and Gilad's son Ofer) some $500 million from their 55.2% stake in the company.{{cite news |date=6 June 2014 |title=בני שבתאי את הונו מעבודה בקזינו בסווזילנדהעצום - כל הדרךכוכב שבתאי: כך בנה איש העסקים |trans-title=The Star of Shabtai: This is How the Businessman Benny Shabtai Has Amassed His Huge Fortune |url=http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?Pn6VQ=EG&0r9VQ=EDFMI |language=he |newspaper=Forbes |access-date=30 December 2014 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929102949/http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?Pn6VQ=EG&0r9VQ=EDFMI |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=16 February 2014 |title=Most of Viber's owners are based abroad including the Shabtais with a 55.2% stake |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-shabtai-family-rakes-in-500m-from-viber-sale-1000917512 |newspaper=Globes }} At that sale price, the founders each realized over 30 times return on their investments.

Djamel Agaoua became Viber Media CEO in February 2017, replacing co-founder Marco who left in 2015.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/02/02/viber-new-ceo-talmon-marco-replaced-by-djamel-agaoua/ |title=Viber appoints former AdTech chief to lead the company after more than a year without a CEO |author=Paul Sawers |date=2 February 2017 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=18 February 2018}}

In July 2017 the corporate name of Viber Media was changed to Rakuten Viber and a new wordmark logo was introduced.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/07/20/viber-acquires-chatter-commerce-maker-of-mobile-shopping-keyboard-shopchat/ |title=Viber acquires Chatter Commerce, maker of mobile shopping keyboard ShopChat |author=Paul Sawers |date=20 July 2017 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=18 February 2018}} Its legal name remains Viber Media, S.à r.l. based in Luxembourg.

In 2017, Rakuten Viber and the World Wildlife Fund engaged in a commercial transaction aimed at raising awareness and protecting wildlife.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-19 |title=Turning Awareness into Action on World Tiger Day |url=https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2021-08-19/turning-awareness-into-action-on-world-tiger-day/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Viber |language=en-US}}

After first using RV to spread its message in June 2020, the International Federation of the Red Cross launched an official chatbot and community on the messaging app to combat the spread of false information, which they termed an infodemic, about COVID-19.{{Cite web |title=Red Cross Red Crescent turns to Rakuten Viber to fight COVID-19 infodemic {{!}} IFRC |url=https://www.ifrc.org/press-release/red-cross-red-crescent-turns-rakuten-viber-fight-covid-19-infodemic |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=www.ifrc.org |date=10 September 2020 |language=en}} The chatbot is still active as of June 2022, with over 1.4 million subscribers.{{Cite web |title=IFRC Red Cross Red Crescent |url=https://invite.viber.com/?g2=AQAWENEdJNMIJEt5ya6Ere%20nx0vB8QKaMsAP1lOyGRpVdvJAyHadGjzS%2F166AJTJ&lang=en&mi=289 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=invite.viber.com |language=en}}

In 2020, Rakuten Viber and the World Health Organization (the WHO) engaged in a commercial transaction for a chatbot to inform users of issues such as women's health.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-28 |title=2021 - The Year of Healthy Vibes - Making Health Resources Available For All |url=https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2021-11-28/2021-the-year-of-healthy-vibes-making-health-resources-available-for-all/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Viber |language=en-US}} and an anti-smoking campaign.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-06 |title=Viber Joins WHO in its Fight Against Smoking |url=https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2021-06-06/viber-joins-who-in-its-fight-against-smoking/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Viber |language=en-US}}

In the wake of the July–August 2020 Belarusian election protests and ensuing crackdown, the company closed its office in Minsk.{{cite web

|language =en

|url = https://www.intellinews.com/viber-closes-its-office-in-minsk-190227/

|title =Viber closes its office in Minsk

|publisher = Intellinews

|date = 23 August 2020

|accessdate = 2022-05-27

}}{{cite web

|author= Jurgita Lapienytė

|language =en

|url = https://cybernews.com/news/are-tech-companies-leaving-belarus/

|title =Are tech companies leaving Belarus?

|publisher = Cybernews

|date =2020-08-26

|accessdate = 27 May 2022

}}

In 2022, Ofir Eyal became Viber CEO, replacing Djamel Agaoua.{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber to launch Payments for Secure App Transactions |url=https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/rakuten-viber-to-launch-payments-for-secure-app-based-transactions/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=ffnews.com|date=26 July 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=CEO Ofir Eyal leads Viber to super app category with the launch of Payments service |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/275773/ceo-ofir-eyal-leads-viber-to-super-app-category |website=Dhaka Tribune}} Eyal is a Viber veteran; he worked as Vice President of Product in 2014 before his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in 2019.

In July 2022, Rakuten Viber partnered with Rapyd to launch instant cross-border P2P payments.{{Cite web |last=Margaroli |first=Isabelle Castro |date=2022-07-28 |title=Rakuten Viber partners with Rapyd to unlock instant cross-border P2P payments |url=https://www.fintechnexus.com/rakuten-viber-partners-with-rapyd-to-unlock-instant-cross-border-p2p-payments/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber to launch Payments for Secure App Transactions |url=https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/rakuten-viber-to-launch-payments-for-secure-app-based-transactions/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ffnews.com|date=26 July 2022 }} The company launched payments on the Viber app first in Greece and Germany, and then in other countries.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Verdict Staff |date=2022-07-28 |title=Rakuten Viber to roll out new digital wallet |url=https://www.electronicpaymentsinternational.com/news/rakuten-viber-digital-payments/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Electronic Payments International |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Telecompaper |url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/viber-starts-in-app-mobile-wallet-with-soft-launch-in-greece-germany--1432345 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.telecompaper.com}}

In August, Mineski teamed up with Viber to develop a social minigame platform that can play off Viber’s application.{{Cite web |last=Coloma |first=Angela |date=2022 |title=Mineski, Viber join forces for social minigame platform |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/07/22/mineski-viber-partner-for-social-minigame-platform |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=news.abs-cbn.com}}

In May 2022, Rakuten Viber launched the premium chat service Viber Plus that offers exclusive features, including sticker market privileges, ad-free use, priority Viber support, exclusive badge, unique Viber icon, large file sharing, and more.{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber's Ad-Free Premium Chat Service Launches in the US |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/rakuten-vibers-ad-free-premium-chat-service-launches-in-the-us/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=CNET |language=en}}

In November 2024, as scams continue to rise globally, Rakuten Viber announced new measures to address the increasing number of scams targeting messaging app users. The company implemented advanced spam detection technologies and launched user education campaigns to help individuals recognize phishing attempts. Additionally, Viber strengthened its partnerships with cybersecurity firms to enhance its fraud prevention strategy.{{Cite web |last=McCann |first=Kristian |date=2024-11-11 |title=Rakuten Viber: Tackling the Surge in Messaging App Scams |url=https://cybermagazine.com/articles/rakuten-viber-tackling-the-surge-in-messaging-app-scams |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=cybermagazine.com |language=en}}

On 4 November 2014, Viber scored 1 out of 7 points on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's "Secure Messaging Scorecard". Viber received a point for encryption during transit but lost points because communications were not encrypted with keys that the provider did not have access to (i.e. the communications were not end-to-end encrypted), users could not verify contacts' identities, past messages were not secure if the encryption keys were stolen (i.e. the service did not provide forward secrecy), the code was not open to independent review (i.e. the code was not open-source), the security design was not properly documented, and there had not been a recent independent security audit.{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/node/82654 |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |title=Secure Messaging Scorecard. Which apps and tools actually keep your messages safe? |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=26 September 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2471658,00.asp |work=PC Magazine |title=Only 6 Messaging Apps Are Truly Secure |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=8 January 2015}} On 14 November 2014, the EFF changed Viber's score to 2 out of 7 after it had received an external security audit from Ernst & Young's Advanced Security Centre.

On 19 April 2016, with the announcement of Viber version 6.0,{{cite web|url=https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/the-best-encrypted-messaging-apps/|title=The Best Encrypted Messaging Apps You Should Use Today [Updated]|date=21 June 2018}} Rakuten added end-to-end encryption to their service.{{cite web|last1=Lunden|first1=Ingrid|title=Viber adds end-to-end encryption and hidden chats as the messaging app privacy wave grows|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/19/viber-adds-end-to-end-encryption-hidden-chats-universal-delete-as-messaging-app-privacy-grows/|website=TechCrunch|publisher=AOL Inc.|access-date=19 April 2016|date=19 April 2016}}{{cite web|author1=Viber Media|title=Viber Security FAQ|url=https://support.viber.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2017401-viber-security-faq?b_id=3838|website=support.viber.com|access-date=19 April 2016|date=n.d.|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230163346/https://support.viber.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2017401-viber-security-faq%3Fb_id%3D3838|url-status=dead}} The company said that the encryption protocol had only been audited internally, and promised to commission external audits "in the coming weeks".{{cite web|last1=Meyer|first1=David|title=Another Big Messaging App Joins the End-to-End Encryption Party|url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/19/viber-e2e-encryption/|website=Fortune|publisher=Time Inc.|access-date=19 April 2016|date=19 April 2016}} In May 2016, Viber published an overview of their encryption protocol, saying that it is a custom implementation that "uses the same concepts" as the Signal Protocol.{{cite web|title=Viber Encryption Overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711035838/http://www.viber.com/en/security-overview|url=https://www.viber.com/en/security-overview|publisher=Viber|date=3 May 2016|archive-date=11 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2017}}

In 2022, Rakuten Viber won a Security Award, by test.de, a tech firm based in Germany where there are over 3 million Viber users.{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=2022-07-26 |title=Viber launches Payments, a new digital wallet |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/26/messaging-app-viber-launches-payments-a-new-digital-wallet-for-paying-bills-money-transfers-and-buying-goods/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Warentest |first=Stiftung |date=2022-02-22 |title=Messenger im Vergleich |url=https://www.test.de/Messenger-Apps-im-Vergleich-4884453-0/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.test.de |language=de}}

{{As of|2016|12}}, Viber had 800 million registered users.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/09/viber-follows-messenger-with-the-launch-of-public-accounts-for-businesses-and-brands/|title=Viber follows Messenger, launches Public Accounts for businesses and brands |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |date=9 November 2016 |publisher=TechCrunch |access-date=18 February 2018}} According to Statista, there are 260 million monthly active users as of January 2019. The Viber messenger is very popular in the Philippines, {{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/07/25/2372681/viber-country-messaging-app-now-e-commerce-too|title=In 'Viber country,' the messaging app now into e-commerce too|website=PhilStar}} Greece,{{Cite web|url=https://www.similarweb.com/corp/blog/research/market-research/worldwide-messaging-apps/|title=The Most Popular Messaging App in Every Country}} Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and some Asian markets.{{cite news|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-viber-taking-on-the-global-giants-1001213439|title=Viber taking on the global giants|website=Globes|date=27 November 2017|language=he|access-date=2019-03-17}}

India was the largest market for Viber as of December 2014 with 33 million registered users, the fifth most popular instant messenger in the country. At the same time there were 30 million users in the United States, 28 million in Russia and 18 million in Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://lighthouseinsights.in/viber-india-product-and-marketing-efforts.html/|title=How India Became The Largest Market For This Instant Messaging VoIP App|first=Prasant|last=Naidu|date=1 December 2014|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=7 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092718/http://lighthouseinsights.in/viber-india-product-and-marketing-efforts.html/|url-status=dead}} Viber is particularly popular in Eastern Europe, being the most downloaded messaging app on Android in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine as of 2016. It is also popular in Iraq, Libya and Nepal.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/.premium-the-whatsapp-of-greece-ukraine-and-iraq-1.5399266|title=The Israeli Answer to WhatsApp Is Big in Eastern Europe - and Iraq|first1=Inbal|last1=Orpaz|first2=Eliran|last2=Rubin|date=22 June 2016|newspaper=Haaretz}}

As of 2018, Viber had an over 70 percent penetration rate in the CIS and CEE regions, but only 15 percent in North America.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/28/viber-with-1b-registered-uses-is-launching-viber-community-a-group-chat-for-up-to-1b-users/|title=Viber is launching Viber Communities, group chats for up to 1B users|date=March 2018}}

In 2022, Rakuten Viber revealed an overall increase in Viber's app users across Asia Pacific (APAC), with the Philippines recording a robust 22 percent increase.{{Cite web |title=Viber reports robust usage in PH |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/15/viber-reports-robust-usage-increase-in-ph |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}

Viber is one of the more popular messenger applications in Russia.{{cite web

|url=https://viber.softok.info/

|title=Viber of Russia

|publisher=Viber.com

|access-date=2017-06-06

|archive-date=16 December 2017

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034436/https://viber.softok.info/

|url-status=dead

}}

{{cite web

|url=https://www.softhome.ru/article/programmy-dlya-tekstovogo-i-golosovogo-obshcheniya-v-igrah-rezhim-konferencii

|title=Viber Рейтинг

|publisher=Viber.com

|access-date=2017-06-06

}}

In January 2016, Viber surpassed WhatsApp in Russia, with about 50 million users.

{{cite web

|url=http://appleapple.top/viber-surpassed-whatsapp-in-russia

|title=Viber surpassed WhatsApp in Russia

|date=18 January 2016

|publisher=appleapple.top

|access-date=2 March 2018

}}

In October 2023, a Moscow court fined Viber 1 million ruble, citing their failure to remove certain content Russia deems to be “illegal”, in particular content on its invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Ellyatt |first=Amanda Macias, Natasha Turak, Holly |title=Russia fines Telegram and Viber for 'illegal' war content; Putin open to talking about Ukraine, Kremlin says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/20/ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=CNBC |date=20 June 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=RFE/RL |title=Moscow Court Fines Viber, Telegram Over Content Related To War In Ukraine |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-viber-telegram-fined-ukraine-war-content-/32467539.html |access-date=2023-10-17}}

On December 13, 2024, by decision of Roskomnadzor, Viber was blocked in Russia.

As of September 2021, Viber is Ukraine's most popular messaging app, with a market share of 97.7%. 20% of the company's total messages sent came from Ukraine, where users sent 97.5 billion messages in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Українці відправили у Viber 97,5 млрд повідомлень за рік — це 20% від усіх надісланих повідомлень у месенджері |url=https://biz.nv.ua/ukr/tech/ukrajinci-vidpravili-cherez-viber-ponad-97-mlrd-povidomlen-za-rik-novini-ukrajini-50208027.html |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=biz.nv.ua |language=uk}}

In February 2022, Rakuten Group removed advertising from its Viber messaging service in Ukraine and Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=www.ETBrandEquity.com |title=Rakuten removes ads from Viber app in Russia and Ukraine, won't block service - ET BrandEquity |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/rakuten-removes-ads-from-viber-app-in-russia-and-ukraine-wont-block-service/89889090 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ETBrandEquity.com |language=en}} At the same time, Hiroshi Mikitani, the founder of Rakuten, donated $8.7 million to support Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=Founder of Rakuten Viber donates almost $9M to Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414194-founder-of-rakuten-viber-donates-almost-9m-to-ukraine.html |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.ukrinform.net |language=en}}

Viber's market share in Bulgaria is steadily increasing. Reaching a record 90% in 2021. The number of calls made and messages sent via Viber in Bulgaria rose by 11% in 2021, reaching approximately 530 million calls and an average of 400 messages per second, according to data presented by the company.{{Cite web |title=Viber grows market share in Bulgaria, to focus on dedicated business space in 2022 |url=https://seenews.com/news/viber-grows-market-share-in-bulgaria-to-focus-on-dedicated-business-space-in-2022-770066 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=seenews.com |date=20 January 2022 |language=en}}

As of the end of 2021, over 90% of people in Greece have Viber on their phones, making it the top messaging app in the country.{{Cite web |last=Newsroom |title=Viber: 1 δισ. κλήσεις στην Ελλάδα το 2021 {{!}} Moneyreview.gr |url=https://www.moneyreview.gr/business-and-finance/64856/viber-1-dis-kliseis-stin-ellada-to-2021/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.moneyreview.gr}} In 2022, the Municipality of Athens has launched an official Viber community to keep its citizens updated on city events, digital services, ongoing projects, proposals, activities for all ages, and stray animal information.{{Cite web |last=America |first=Hellenic News of |date=2022-11-24 |title=Municipality of Athens gets closer to its citizens via Viber |url=https://hellenicnews.com/municipality-of-athens-gets-closer-to-its-citizens-via-viber/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Hellenic News of America |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Municipality of Athens gets closer to its citizens through Viber app |url=https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/city-breaks/47938-municipality-of-athens-gets-closer-to-its-citizens-through-viber-app.html |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=TornosNews.GR |language=en-US}}

Viber is the top messenger in Serbia. As of November 2021, over 90% of Serbs have Viber on their phone.{{Cite web |last=Petrovic |first=Mija |title=Viber u Srbiji 2021. – Ar PRESS Informativni portal – Aranđelovac |url=https://arpress.net/viber-u-srbiji-2021/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |language=sr-RS |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522171851/https://arpress.net/viber-u-srbiji-2021/ |url-status=dead }}

Viber was initially launched for iPhone on 2 December 2010. It was launched on BlackBerry and Windows Phone on 8 May 2012,{{cite web |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Viber+BlackBerry+Windows+Phone+Available/6583826/story.html |title=Viber for BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 Now Available |agency=Business Wire |work=Times Colonist |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512004406/http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Viber+BlackBerry+Windows+Phone+Available/6583826/story.html |archive-date=12 May 2012}} followed by the Android platform on 19 July 2012, and Nokia's Series 40, Symbian and Samsung's Bada platform on 24 July 2012, by which time the application had 90 million users.{{cite web|url=http://store.ovi.com/content/310695?clickSource=search&pos=2 |title=Nokia Store: Download Viber and many other games, wallpaper, ringtones and mobile apps on your Nokia phone |publisher=Store.ovi.com |access-date=2013-06-06}}{{cite web |url=http://store.ovi.com/content/306686?clickSource=search&pos=1 |title=Nokia Store: Download Viber and many other games, wallpaper, ringtones and mobile apps on your Nokia phone |publisher=Store.ovi.com |access-date=2013-06-06}}{{cite web |url=https://www.viber.com/products/bada/ |title=Viber for Bada - Free messages on Samsung Bada |publisher=Viber.com |access-date=2013-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530170133/http://viber.com/products/bada/ |archive-date=2013-05-30 |url-status=dead }}

In May 2013 with Viber 3.0, a desktop version for Windows and macOS was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/07/viber-desktop-and-ios-android-updates/|title=Viber announces new desktop app, revamps Android and iOS versions|date=7 May 2013 |access-date=18 February 2018}} In August 2013, Viber for Linux was released as a public beta{{cite web |url=http://www.webupd8.org/2013/08/popular-mobile-im-voip-app-viber.html |title=Popular mobile IM/VoIP app 'Viber' available for Linux |author= |date= 26 August 2013|website=WebUpd8 |access-date=12 October 2013}} and in August 2014 a final version.{{cite web |url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTc2NTc |title=Viber 4.2 Finally Released For Linux|website=phoronix}} In June 2016 a UWP-based desktop application for Windows 10 was released in the Windows Store.{{cite web |url=https://www.viber.com/blog/2016-07-19/viber-windows-10-beta-no-longer/ |title=Viber for Windows 10 - Beta No Longer - Viber|date=19 July 2016 |access-date=18 February 2018}} The desktop versions are tied with a user's registered Viber mobile number, but can operate independently afterwards.{{cite web |url=https://www.techworld.com/download/internet-tools/viber-desktop-104054-3329172/|title=Viber for Desktop 10.4.0.54 - Software Downloads|first=Nick|last=Peers|website=Techworld}} In 2015, a version for the iPad tablet and Apple Watch smartwatch was released.{{cite web |url=https://www.redmondpie.com/viber-app-launches-on-ipad-download-it-from-here/ |title=Viber App Launches On iPad, Download It From Here |first=Oliver |last=Haslam |date=30 June 2015 |website=Readmond Pie}}{{cite web |url=https://www.redmondpie.com/viber-app-for-apple-watch-released/ |title=Viber App For Apple Watch Released |first=Zayed |last=Rehman |date=28 October 2015 |website=Readmond Pie}}

Viber was originally launched as a VoIP application for voice calling. On 31 March 2011, Viber 2.0 was released which added instant messaging (IM) capabilities.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/03/31/skype-challenger-releases-viber-2-0-free-text-messages-and-more/|title=Skype Challenger Releases Viber 2.0: Free Text Messages And More|date=31 March 2011}} In July 2012 group messaging and an HD Voice engine were added to both Android and iOS applications.{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Daniel|title=Viber comes to Symbian, S40 and Bada, adds HD voice calling and group messaging to Nokia Lumia handsets|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/09/11/viber-symbian-lumia-upgrade/|access-date=13 February 2013|newspaper=Engadget|date=11 September 2012}} Today, users can send several kinds of media files including photos, videos, GIFs, files, audio messages, and stickers.{{Cite web |title=Features |url=https://www.viber.com/en/features/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Viber |language=en-US}}

In December 2012 Viber added 'stickers' to the application. In October 2013, Viber 4.0 was announced featuring a sticker 'market' where Viber would be selling stickers as a source of revenue.{{cite web |url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/10/01/viber-becomes-latest-messaging-service-to-sell-stickers-as-it-aims-to-begin-making-money/|title=Viber Begins Selling Stickers|first=Jon|last=Russell|date=1 October 2013 |access-date=18 February 2018}}

In addition, version 4.0 introduced push-to-talk capabilities, and Viber Out, a feature that provides users the option to call mobile and landline numbers via VoIP without the need for the application.{{cite web |url=https://www.idownloadblog.com/2013/11/12/viber-4-0/ |title=Viber 4.0 arrives with push-to-talk, Viber Out, Sticker Market, tweaks and more |first=Christian |last=Zibreg |date=12 November 2013 |publisher=iDownloadBlog.com}}

Voice support was officially added for all Windows Phone 8 devices on 2 April 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.trutower.com/2013/04/02/wp8-users-rejoice-viber-with-voice-for-windows-phone-8-is-now-available/ |title=WP8 Users Rejoice! Viber With Voice For Windows Phone 8 Has Been Released |date=2 April 2013 | access-date=2013-04-02}} In September 2014, Viber 5.0 was released and introduced video calling.{{cite web|url=https://www.trutower.com/2014/09/11/viber-for-android-ios-windows-osx-updated/|title=Viber Version 5.0 for Android and iOS, Version 4.3 for Desktop, and Version 3.2 for Windows 8 Launch - TruTower|access-date=16 February 2023|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030403/https://www.trutower.com/2014/09/11/viber-for-android-ios-windows-osx-updated/|url-status=dead}}

In November 2016 Viber version 6.5 launched Public Accounts to allow brands to engage in promotion and customer service on the platform, with initial partners including The Huffington Post, Yandex and The Weather Channel.{{cite web|url=https://rakuten.today/blog/viber-public-accounts.html|title=Viber introduces Public Accounts: A new way to reach brands|date=7 December 2016|website=Rakuten Today}} The app integrates with CRM software and offers chatbot APIs for customer service. Viber Communities, an enhanced group chat feature, was introduced in February 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.viber.com/blog/2018-02-27/introducing-viber-communities/|title=Introducing Viber Communities|date=27 February 2018|website=Viber}} Group calling was introduced with version 10 in February 2019.{{cite web|author=Christian de Looper |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/viber-10-redesign-news/ |title=Viber is Finally Getting Group Calling and a Slick New Design |publisher=Digital Trends |date=2019-02-04 |access-date=2019-04-01}} Communities have an unlimited number of participants, compared to group chats that have a maximum of 250.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-06 |title=Viber Launches 'Communities' – Group Chats With Up To One Billion Members |url=https://wersm.com/viber-launches-communities/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=WeRSM - We are Social Media |language=en-US}} In Viber communities neither superadmins nor admins can see members' phone numbers. Also, members who enable private messages can contact each other while keeping their numbers hidden.{{Cite web |title=Viber Community: How to Use Viber Communities for Business |url=https://respond.io/blog/viber-community |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=respond.io |language=en}} In October 2020 Viber launched message statistics to go along with Community insights. These statistics offer Community admins the ability to see engagement levels with the content they post to their Communities.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-28 |title=Community Masters: Get Smart About Views, Shares, Clicks and More in Your Community |url=https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2020-10-28/community-masters-get-smart-about-views-shares-clicks-and-more-in-your-community/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Viber |language=en-US}}

Kinds of chatbots available on the app include those providing essential information,{{Cite web |date=2022-02-08 |title=WHO and @Viber Fight #COVID19 Misinformation with Interactive Chatbot in Multiple ... - Latest Tweet by World Health Organization {{!}} 🌎 LatestLY |url=https://www.latestly.com/socially/world/who-and-viber-fight-covid19-misinformation-with-interactive-chatbot-in-multiple-latest-tweet-by-world-health-organization-3341573.html |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=LatestLY |language=en}} and quizzes{{Cite web |last=Weerasooriya |first=Sahan |title=Rakuten Viber launches Valentine's Day chatbot and Lenses |date=16 February 2022 |url=http://island.lk/rakuten-viber-launches-valentines-day-chatbot-and-lenses/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |language=en-US}}

In 2022 Rakuten Viber partnered with Taimi, LGBTQ+ dating app, to add a bot powered by Viber to its freeware ecosystem, to match members of its user base and serve as an educational resource for about the LGBTQ+ community.{{Cite web |title=Taimi and Rakuten Viber partner on a bot to educate people on LGBTQ+ topics {{!}} Mobile Marketing Magazine |url=https://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/taimi-and-rakuten-viber-partner-on-a-bot-to-educate-people-on-lgbtq-topics |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=mobilemarketingmagazine.com |date=21 February 2023 |language=en}}

In January 2023, the company announced offerings such as a Business Inbox and a searchable Commercial Account. Business Inbox is a dedicated space for brand-user interactions, accessible directly from an individual’s regular Chats screen.{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber Adds New Inbox for Keeping Business and Personal Chats Separate |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/rakuten-viber-adds-new-inbox-for-keeping-business-and-personal-chats-separate/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=CNET |language=en}} Commercial Account is a business account.{{Cite web |title=Major update in Rakuten Viber: New offerings include Business Inbox and searchable Commercial Account |url=https://tech.news.am/eng/news/662/major-update-in-rakuten-viber-new-offerings-include-business-inbox-and-searchable-commercial-account.html |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=NEWS.am TECH - Innovations and science}}{{Cite web |last=Banzuelo |first=Neil |date=2023-01-30 |title=Viber adds features to increase brand awareness among users, aims to become superapp |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/sparkup/2023/01/30/501786/viber-adds-features-to-increase-brand-awareness-among-users-aims-to-become-superapp/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US}}

In February 2023 Rakuten Viber launched its chatbot AI Chat & Create, which allows users to ask questions and design images directly through the Viber app.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Viber users can now create art, ask questions using new chatbot |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/20/23/viber-launches-chatbot-that-makes-art-answers-questions |access-date=October 12, 2023}}

In July 2023 Viber partnered with ICONIQ to bring users to connect with an AI robot companion Kuki so users can chat and interact with Kuki directly on the app.{{Cite web |title=Fagen Wasanni Technologies All about XXI Century Technologies |url=https://fagenwasanni.com/news/brainomix-and-nanoflex-robotics-collaborate-on-ai-powered-stroke-treatment-platform/272479/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Fagen Wasanni Technologies |date=12 October 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=You can now chat with a famous AI character on Viber. Here's how |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/you-can-now-chat-with-a-famous-ai-character-on-viber-heres-how/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ZDNET |language=en}}

In May 2023, Viber Plus was launched internationally, including enhancements to the app like access to paid stickers, the ability to change the Viber app icon and customer service access over live chat.{{Cite web |last=Vasile |first=Cosmin |date=2023-07-14 |title=Viber launches its premium service with exclusive features in the United States |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/viber-plus-price-features_id148909 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=PhoneArena |language=en-US}}

In August 2023, the company released two Viber Plus features for iOS users: Invisible Mode and Read Voice Messages. Read Voice Message feature turns voice messages into text, so any message can be ready anytime. Invisible Mode allows users to privately read messages and browse on the platform.{{Cite web |last=Vasile |first=Cosmin |date=2023-08-03 |title=Viber launches two new features for Premium users, but only on iOS |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/viber-update-invisible-mode-read-voice-messages_id149448 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=PhoneArena |language=en-US}}

In April 2023, Rakuten Viber launched Viber Payments, a real-time account-to-account (A2A) money transfer service in Greece.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Viber launches online payment function in Cyprus |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/viber-launches-online-payment-function-in-cyprus/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}} Viber Payments enables instant and free transactions between Viber users in Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Germany. Viber users in these countries can send money to each other in an easy and secure manner by creating a digital wallet through a two-minute process that requires registration and email confirmation.{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber brings money transfer service to Cyprus |url=https://thepaypers.com/online-payments/rakuten-viber-brings-money-transfer-service-to-cyprus--1262324 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=thepaypers.com |language=en}}

In April, Rakuten added the Caller ID feature, which helps identify any call after being turned on along with a warning for possible spam, including for calls that aren't being made through Viber.{{Cite web |title=Rakuten Viber Is Adding Caller ID, Spam Filtering for Any Incoming Call |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/rakuten-viber-is-adding-caller-id-spam-filtering-for-any-incoming-call/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=CNET |language=en}}

In October 2023, Viber announced a new set of business tools for small and medium-sized businesses.{{Cite web |last=Pascual |first=Jekki |date=2023 |title=Viber launches business accounts for SMEs, pushes back Viber Pay launch to next year |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/10/23/viber-launches-business-accounts-for-smes |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=news.abs-cbn.com}}{{Cite web |last=Medenilla |first=Vina |date=2023-10-12 |title=Rakuten Viber unveils new business features for MSMEs in PH |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/12/tmt-anniversary/rakuten-viber-unveils-new-business-features-for-msmes-in-ph/1914325 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}} Viber Business Accounts is a platform for businesses to create public profiles, enabling them to share information and product catalogs directly within the app. Additionally, the service features a 1:1 instant messaging function for customer inquiries, discoverability through app search functions, and dedicated chat folders for organizational purposes.{{Cite web |last=Vasile |first=Cosmin |date=2023-10-09 |title=Viber rolls out a new suite of business tools and they're free |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/viber-update-free-business-tools_id151392 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=PhoneArena |language=en-US}}

Early 2025{{Citation needed|date=April 2025|reason=I have only seen this starting early this year, but A/B testing is likely so this feature may be older. I cannot find source on their blog/socials.}}, "Viber Dating" popped up in the Mobile Viber client for mobile devices. It is likely made to compete with popular dating services such as Tinder.

• Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients
• Comparison of VoIP software

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.viber.com/}}

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{{Rakuten}}

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