WhatsApp Tests Cross-Platform Communication; Here’s What This Means!

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WhatsApp Chat Interoperability: Making Communication Across Platforms Easier

WhatsApp is constantly striving to enhance its user experience by testing out new features. One such feature is third-party chat support, which aims to comply with a recent European Union (EU) law. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for WhatsApp users!

What is WhatsApp Chat Interoperability?

WhatsApp’s recent release, Android beta update version 2.23.19.8, includes a dedicated section for third-party chat support. Although this section is currently under development and inaccessible to beta users, it holds promising potential. Take a look at the screenshot below for a preview:

WhatsApp third party chat support
Source: WABetaInfo

So, what does this new feature entail? Essentially, it allows users to engage in conversations on WhatsApp through other messaging platforms. This means that you can communicate with individuals on WhatsApp using apps like Signal or Telegram, eliminating the requirement of having a WhatsApp account. This interoperability not only expands communication possibilities but also grants users more flexibility.

This move is driven by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), set to take effect in March 2024. The DMA aims to create a fair competitive environment and includes gatekeepers who must allow third parties to interoperate with their services. Among the gatekeepers listed by the EU are Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. Notably, iMessage is absent from the list as it does not meet the criteria of having over 45 million users required to be considered a gatekeeper. To learn more about the DMA, you can visit their official website here.

If WhatsApp successfully implements this feature, it is likely that Messenger and Instagram will also follow suit. However, the encryption status of these cross-platform communications remains uncertain. It remains to be seen how Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, will execute this strategy. We will continue to provide updates on this matter, so stay tuned. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below!