WhatsApp tests option to turn off third party chats

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets users turn off the ability to receive messages from third party messaging platforms.

WhatsApp is working on inter-app compatibility. (Image Source: WhatsApp)

Earlier this month, WhatsApp unveiled its plans to test third-party messaging app integration to comply with the recently passed European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The Meta-owned messaging platform has been testing the functionality for around two years that enables users to exchange messages, videos, images and files with people on other platforms.

While the ability to send and receive messages from other messaging apps may be useful for some, a handful of users might want to turn off the functionality. If the user chooses to turn off cross-platform messaging, they won’t be able to send or receive messages from other platforms and their chats will be available only in read-only mode until manually deleted.

Here’s what the toggle to turn off third party chat might look like. (Image Source: WABetaInfo)

According to a recent report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.6.2 introduces a new toggle that lets you turn off third-party chats in the app. The developers also seem to be working on the option to let users select which apps will be able to communicate with WhatsApp, so users can customise it to their preferences.

However, the feature seems to be currently under development and is expected to take anywhere between a few weeks to a couple of months before it will be available to users.

In the last weeks, WhatsApp rolled out several new features like the ability to search for old messages by date and a fact-checking chatbot designed to help curb AI-generated misinformation.