In a bid to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), the parent company of
WhatsApp, Meta, has initiated testing a third-party chat feature, according to WABetaInfo. This feature, when activated, will enable WhatsApp users to engage with other instant messaging platforms. While the feature remains inaccessible for now, its presence in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.19.8 suggests it's in the development stage, marking a significant step towards Meta's encrypted messaging app embracing cross-platform compatibility.
The move comes shortly after the European Commission officially designated
WhatsApp's owner, Meta, as a “gatekeeper” under the EU's Digital Markets Act. The DMA mandates that communication software, including WhatsApp, must interoperate with third-party messaging apps by March 2024. A screenshot shared by WABetaInfo highlights this development, emphasising the DMA's goal to prevent gatekeepers from imposing unfair conditions and to ensure the openness of digital services.
WhatsApp now has a six-month window to align its app with the new European regulations to provide interoperability services within the European Union, the report added. The extent to which this feature may extend beyond EU borders remains uncertain.
Interoperability, once implemented, will permit individuals on other messaging platforms to contact
WhatsApp users even if they lack a WhatsApp account. For instance, a Telegram user could send a message to a WhatsApp user, bridging the gap between different messaging apps. While this broader network holds potential for enhanced communication and competition within the messaging app industry, concerns about maintaining end-to-end encryption for messages from non-WhatsApp users persist. As this feature is still in its early stages, detailed technical information remains limited, but preserving end-to-end encryption is a priority.
Furthermore, Article 7 of the regulations suggests that users may have the option to opt out of interoperability when it becomes available in the future.
It's worth noting that several other tech giants, including Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Apple, and Microsoft, have also been labelled as gatekeepers under the DMA. Apple, while currently not compliant with cross-platform messaging, may face changes in the future as the EU deems iMessage significant enough for DMA coverage.
Additionally, Meta and Microsoft are planning to introduce their own app stores to break the Google and Apple duopoly, aligning with DMA requirements, according to a Verge report.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
