WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is already taking significant steps to ensure messaging interoperability across platforms, in line with new European Union regulations.
As usual, our colleagues from WABetaInfo have just discovered some interesting new clues in a new beta version of WhatsApp, bearing the number 2.23.19.8. Indeed, it seems to contain a new “third-party conversations” section, which would indicate that WhatsApp is preparing to open its application to competition.
A few days ago, the European Union definitively adopted the new Digital Markets Act (DMA), a substantial competition reform designed to regulate large technology companies operating within the EU. Under this law, tech giants, including WhatsApp, are required to allow users to communicate with each other through different messaging apps, and It looks like this is exactly what WhatsApp is planning to implement.
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WhatsApp is working to comply with new European laws
WhatsApp has recognized the importance of complying with the new regulations, and it appears that the company is already working to implement the changes required by law. Under the DMA, WhatsApp hasa period of six months to make the necessary adjustments to provide interoperability services within the European Union. However, it is unclear whether this feature will extend to regions outside the EU.
Interoperability, as envisaged by the DMA, will allow users of different messaging apps to communicate with each other seamlessly. For example, a person using Messenger will be able to send a message to a WhatsApp user, even if the latter does not have a WhatsApp account.
If interoperability promises toimprove communication and promote competition between messaging applications, it also raises important questions about end-to-end encryption. It now remains to be seen whether WhatsApp will continue to promise full encryption, even when these messages are only exchanged on its app. Finally, note that in accordance with article 7 of the DMA regulations, users may also have the possibility of renouncing messaging interoperability in the future.
WhatsApp’s work on third-party chat support is still in its early stages, which is why we might not hear about the feature for many more weeks.