@skyscapper99, The question is why Microsoft and Facebook...

@skyscapper99,
The question is why Microsoft and Facebook acquired Skype and WhatsUp if there is no charge to the end user. Integration is one of the answers, these mega companies want to keep their users within their "virtual" world so they can analyze behaviours and trends, allowing them to sell such info to retailers, FMCGs and marketing companies. In addition, this integration allows them to target end users, in a more effective way, through targeted/taylored marketing campaigns, monitoring its effectiveness. This is already happening, companies such as Commscore are doing on-line data gathering and selling the info to the big boys.

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