WhatsApp to Allow Messaging with Users on Other Apps in Europe
Brussels, Belgium – WhatsApp is beginning a limited test allowing users in Europe to message contacts on competing messaging platforms, a move mandated by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The rollout marks a significant shift for the Meta-owned platform, historically a closed ecosystem, and signals a potential future of interoperable messaging.
The change, first reported by WABetaInfo, addresses a key requirement of the DMA, which designates large tech companies as “gatekeepers” and compels them to enable interoperability with smaller platforms. WhatsApp is responding by allowing users to choose whether incoming messages from other apps appear within their regular WhatsApp chats or in a dedicated ”Third-party chats” section.
Meta has been preparing for these changes for months, balancing the need for interoperability with its commitment to maintaining WhatsApp’s privacy and encryption standards. the company acknowledges the challenge of integrating with apps that may utilize different security protocols.
Initially, the feature is limited to users in Europe and only compatible with one external app: BirdyChat. Furthermore, several WhatsApp features, including stickers, status updates, and disappearing messages, will not be available within these third-party conversations.
Privacy considerations are also present. Blocking a user on WhatsApp will not automatically block them on connected apps, requiring individual blocking actions across platforms. However, Meta states that the only personal data shared during this process will be the user’s phone number.
This test phase represents a potential turning point in messaging, perhaps breaking down the barriers between platforms and offering users greater flexibility in how they communicate. If successful, WhatsApp could pioneer true cross-platform messaging among major texting applications.
