WhatsApp is gearing up to allow interoperability with other messaging networks ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) deadline. In an interview with Wired, Dick Brouwer, an engineering director at WhatsApp, revealed that the company is ready to offer this feature to its more than 2 billion users while ensuring privacy, security, and integrity.
The European Union (EU) included messaging interoperability as part of the DMA in 2022. This rule requires gatekeepers like WhatsApp and Messenger to open up their services to other chat apps. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Messenger, is also working on adding support for other chat apps to Messenger. Initially, this feature will focus on one-on-one chats, allowing users to send text, audio, video, images, and files across apps. The experience will be accessible through a new sub-menu called “Third-party chats” on top of the inbox.
Brouwer emphasized that the interoperability will be an opt-in experience to prevent spam and scams. Users will have the choice to participate in exchanging messages with third parties. This approach is crucial in addressing potential privacy and security concerns that may arise from opening up the platform.
Companies wishing to be interoperable with Meta’s system will need to sign an agreement, although specific details have not been made public yet. WhatsApp will require end-to-end encryption to enable interoperability. However, Apple’s recent changes to the App Store indicate that the terms for interoperability may not be straightforward.
Interestingly, WhatsApp has been working with open-source messaging protocol Matrix on an experimental basis to ensure end-to-end encryption compatibility. This collaboration highlights WhatsApp’s commitment to maintaining the security of its platform while exploring interoperability options.
While WhatsApp is taking steps towards interoperability, it remains unclear if other messaging operators like Telegram, Viber, and Google are planning to support this feature with WhatsApp. Brouwer mentioned that achieving feature parity between third-party chats and WhatsApp native chats might be challenging due to potential privacy and security issues that could arise.
The concept of apps that consolidate multiple messaging services under one umbrella has gained significant attention in recent months. Automattic, the owner of WordPress.com, acquired Texts.com for $50 million in October. Additionally, Eric Migicovsky’s Beeper, known for its efforts to bring iMessage to Android phones (which Apple ultimately shut down), has sparked conversations in the industry.
As the DMA deadline approaches, WhatsApp’s move towards interoperability showcases its willingness to adapt to regulatory requirements while maintaining its commitment to user privacy and security. The ability to seamlessly communicate across different messaging networks could revolutionize the way people connect and interact in the digital world.
