WhatsApp will get cross-platform messaging to comply with EU law

WhatsApp has started testing a third-party chat option, which when enabled will allow WhatsApp users to interact with other instant messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal.

WhatsApp is used by billions worldwide to keep in touch with their friends, family, and colleagues. (Express Photo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

To comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp has started testing a third-party chat option, which when enabled will allow WhatsApp users to interact with other instant messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal. First spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.19.8 has clues for the upcoming feature. Right now, the feature is still inaccessible, indicating, it is still under development.

WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are the two most popular instant messaging platforms in the Europe region, which are known for their easy-to-use interface and enhanced security with end-to-end encryption. However, allowing interoperability definitely comes at a cost, as it is likely to break the encryption.

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.19.8: what’s new?

WhatsApp is working on complying with new EU regulations by developing support for chat interoperability, and it will be available in a future update of the app!https://t.co/XI6zMoOD5P pic.twitter.com/Jpd9Leh2Ki

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) September 10, 2023

Besides WhatsApp, Meta is also compliant to enable cross-platform messaging on its Facebook Messenger.

EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) recently labelled companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, ByteDance, Apple, and Microsoft as “Gatekeepers” which now have to comply with the new regulations by April 2024. One such requirement is to enable interoperability with third-party messaging platforms.

Story continues below this ad

Also read | Apple says it remains worried about risks of EU Digital Markets Act

However, Apple has reasoned that its iMessage isn’t as popular as other messaging services in Europe and is currently not compliant to enable cross-platform messaging, at least for now. However, this could change in the coming days, as the EU does believe Apple iMessage is big enough to be covered under DMA.

Companies like Meta and Microsoft are also planning to introduce their own app stores, again to comply with DMA to break the Google and Apple duopoly.

Loading Taboola...

EAM Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Rubio hold bilateral discussions in New York

India20 min ago

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar and US Senator Rubio met in New York to discuss the 25% tariff on Indian oil imposed by Trump. This was their first in-person meeting since the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. India and the US also began talks for a trade agreement, with positive discussions during a recent visit by US trade officials to India.

View all shorts

Live Blog