Facebook buys group messaging service Beluga

Facebook said Tuesday that it has acquired Beluga, a startup founded by former Google employees which allows users to send group messages to family or friends.

Financial details of the transaction were not announced.

"We're psyched to confirm that we've just acquired the talent and assets of Beluga, whose simple and elegant mobile apps blew us away as a solution to help groups of friends stay in touch on the move," Facebook said in a statement.

The Palo Alto, California-based Facebook said the Beluga team "will continue their vision for groups and mobile communication as part of Facebook."

"We're excited to continue to build our vision for mobile group messaging as part of the Facebook team," Beluga said in a statement.

"Beluga and Facebook are committed to create new and better ways to communicate and share group experiences."

Beluga said the service will continue unchanged for now and it will provide details on future plans in the coming weeks.

Beluga was launched last year by former Google employees Ben Davenport, Lucy Zhang and Jonathan Perlow.

Beluga's free iPhone and Android mobile applications allow users to share updates and photos with family and friends.