Breaking Down Barriers
The DMA mandates that major tech companies must open their platforms to third-party services, enabling users to communicate across different messaging apps. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Messenger, has been preparing for this transition, and the details are beginning to emerge. While a precise timeline remains elusive, Meta has outlined its plans to roll out individual third-party chats first, with group messaging expected to follow in 2025 and calling features anticipated by 2027.
Currently, this interoperability requirement applies solely to Europe, but it’s hard to imagine that Meta would confine such a pivotal feature to just one region. The potential for cross-platform messaging could soon extend to other markets, including the United States and beyond.
Enhancing User Experience
Meta is committed to creating a seamless chat experience for users of WhatsApp and Messenger. The company is actively seeking to enhance transparency and accessibility, taking user feedback into account. As stated by Meta, “We’ve heard loud and clear from other messaging services that the option for users to connect with people using other apps should be clear and easy to find.” In response, new notifications will be integrated into both platforms to inform users about available third-party chats.
Moreover, user control is a priority for Meta. The company is developing a straightforward onboarding process that will educate users about third-party chat options and allow them to choose which apps to connect with. Users will have the flexibility to manage their inboxes by either consolidating messages from all apps into a single view or keeping them organized separately.
Going Beyond Basic Interoperability
While the DMA sets the groundwork for basic interoperability, Meta is aiming higher. The company plans to support advanced features such as message reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts—elements that are often lacking in basic cross-platform messaging. This commitment to richer functionality underscores Meta’s role as a facilitator in the interoperability process, as it collaborates closely with third-party services to ensure secure and reliable communication.
As Meta elaborated, “We will keep collaborating with third-party messaging services to provide the safest and best experience.” Users can expect to see the option for third-party chats once the necessary technology has been developed and tested by these services.
While many of these enhancements are still in development, they signify a significant shift towards dismantling the barriers that have long separated messaging apps. The DMA is a catalyst for this evolution in Europe, and it remains to be seen how quickly such interoperability will gain traction on a global scale. With a focus on rich messaging capabilities and user empowerment, Meta appears well-prepared for a future where communication transcends the limitations of individual applications.
See also: Vodafone and Meta collaborate on European network optimisation
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