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According to the blog that Kakao runs, its users have reached up to the number of 70 million. Based on the fact that 60 million people were using this service until September, this phenomenon shows that its users increased as much as 10 million in just three months. Also, the research showed that the users use 43 minutes or above everyday on Kakao Talk.
Kakao Talk is a global mobile instant messenger that the company Kakao ran since March 18, 2010. This service is currently being distributed for free to smart phone users. Its main function is sending messages, photos, videos, and etc. for free in a wifi-active zone. In addition, this service allows users to chat together in one chatting room, and to add friends automatically after saving friends’ numbers.
Kakao Talk also enables users to find friends not only with numbers but also with their Kakao IDs. Not to mention, recently, Kakao also provided a service named the “Voice Talk” that enables users to phone their Kakao friends with 3G or through a Wi-fi network. Most specialists have mentioned that this service’s success was due to the fact that it’s easy to learn to use, clear interface, useful functions, and its habitual usage. Different from other online messenger services that have complex registration process, Kakao’s has no process but to insert one’s number and password so most of the smart phone users are able to access this service regardless of age.
About 2 million and 750 thousand users visit Kakao Talk daily on average, and its highest message usage was recorded as 4thousand and two million and it keeps on increasing. Kakao has widened its language options to 13 languages including Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, French and so on. The company’s workers have increased largely that 280 people are working for this company currently.
It seems that Kakao Service has only brought positive results, however, there are also some negative results such as the invasion of the right of self-determination, excess collection of personal information, Kakao Jail, and so on. Nevertheless, this service is evaluated to exert its influence more in a positive way, and expected to bring more positive results to the society.
Kakao announced that “(It) will be a platform more evolving with the users.”
