Brian Acton

Brian Acton
Born1972/1973 (age 52–53)[1]
Michigan, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationBachelor of Science
Alma mater
Years active1992 – present
OrganizationSignal Foundation
Known for
  • Co-founded WhatsApp with Jan Koum in 2009
  • Co-founded Signal Foundation with Moxie Marlinspike in 2018
TitleExecutive Chairman[2][3]
SpouseTegan Acton

Brian Acton (born 1972) is an computer programmer and Internet entrepreneur. He is the executive chairman of the Signal Foundation.[4][5]


He previously worked at Yahoo!, and currently works at the company he founded, WhatsApp.[6]

Education

Acton graduated from Lake Howell High School.[7] Acton started studying engineering from the University of Pennsylvania but left after a year to study at Stanford.[7] He holds bachelor's degree in computer science from Stanford University.[8]

Career

In 1992, he became a systems administrator for Rockwell International, before becoming a product tester at Apple Inc. and Adobe Systems. In 1996, he became the 44th employee hired by Yahoo inc.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Brian Acton". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  2. ↑ Marlinspike, Moxie; Acton, Brian (21 February 2018). "Signal Foundation". Signal.org. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Statement of Information". businesssearch.sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. 28 August 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  4. ↑ "Signal Foundation". signal.org. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-05-02.{cite web}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ↑ "Brian Acton". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sentinel, By Richard Burnett, Orlando. "Billionaire-to-be Brian Acton got tech start at Lake Howell High". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.{cite web}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "Facebook turned down WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton for job in 2009". the Guardian. 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2021-05-02.