Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Messenger, has announced its plans to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
As part of these changes, Meta will allow third-party messaging apps to connect with WhatsApp and Messenger, giving users more freedom to communicate across different platforms.
This move is seen as a significant step towards fostering competition in the digital marketplace and ensuring better interoperability between various messaging services.
What Is the Digital Markets Act (DMA)?
The DMA is a landmark regulation introduced by the European Union to create a more competitive environment in the digital sector.
It specifically targets large tech companies, like Meta, and forces them to open up their platforms to smaller competitors. One key requirement of the DMA is to allow third-party apps to integrate with major messaging services, like WhatsApp and Messenger.
This ensures that users can communicate seamlessly, even if they are using different apps.
Meta’s Compliance with DMA
In a blog post, Meta detailed its roadmap to meet the DMA’s requirements for its messaging platforms. The company has already started building the infrastructure to allow third-party apps to integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger.
These integrations will be rolled out in phases, with full implementation expected by 2027.
Meta plans to introduce notifications within WhatsApp and Messenger, informing users when a new third-party messaging app becomes compatible.
Users will have the option to enable these third-party chats, set up a designated folder for them, or choose a combined inbox that will show messages from both WhatsApp, Messenger, and third-party apps in one place.
By 2025, Meta aims to extend this integration to group chats, allowing users to include participants from third-party apps in their WhatsApp and Messenger group conversations.
Additionally, Meta will enable voice and video calling features by 2027, in line with the DMA’s guidelines.
Rich Messaging Features Coming Soon
Another exciting update is the introduction of “rich messaging” features. These include reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts, which will also work with third-party apps.
Although no specific timeline has been announced, Meta has confirmed that these features are part of its long-term plan.
End-to-End Encryption and Technical Challenges
One of the major hurdles Meta faces is maintaining end-to-end encryption while integrating third-party apps. WhatsApp, known for its strong encryption, will require the same level of security in these interoperable chats.
This could pose technical challenges and may delay the process if third-party apps struggle to meet WhatsApp’s encryption standards.
Meta has also stated that third-party messaging services will need to sign an agreement to integrate with its system.
While the company has not disclosed the full details of this agreement, it is expected that it will set stringent guidelines to ensure user privacy and security.
Will Other Messaging Apps Support This?
It remains uncertain whether other major messaging platforms like Telegram or Viber will support this interoperability. Open-source messaging protocol Matrix, however, has expressed interest in working with WhatsApp.
Matrix founder Matthew Hodgson revealed that they are already working on integrating with WhatsApp on an “experimental basis,” keeping end-to-end encryption intact.
Criticism and Legal Scrutiny
Despite these efforts, Meta has faced criticism for its business practices under the DMA. Earlier this year, the European Commission accused Meta of not fully complying with other sections of the DMA.
One controversial issue was Meta’s “pay or consent” ad model for Facebook and Instagram in the EU. This model allows users to choose between a paid, ad-free version or a free version with ads, a practice that the Commission argues violates the DMA’s rules.
Bottom Line
Meta’s decision to comply with the Digital Markets Act is a significant move that could reshape the messaging landscape by 2027. B
y allowing third-party apps to integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger, Meta is not only meeting regulatory requirements but also paving the way for a more interconnected digital world.
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