WhatsApp has started beta-testing cross-app messaging within the European Union, allowing users to exchange messages and media with third-party apps.
New Messaging Features
This initiative is part of Meta's compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which promotes openness among dominant tech platforms. The opt-in feature supports basic messaging but retains end-to-end encryption for WhatsApp users. Supported media includes text, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents.
- WhatsApp enables messaging with Signal and Telegram.
- End-to-end encryption remains in place.
- More advanced features are not yet supported with third-party apps.
Initially limited to the EU, messages from other platforms appear in a separate inbox to avoid clutter.
Technical and Market Implications
The rollout demands alignment between WhatsApp's Signal Protocol and other services, maintaining encryption and functionality. Recent beta tests on iOS facilitate third-party chat support for select EU users.
Technical challenges include handling differing protocols and data privacy concerns. Privacy advocates highlight potential risks linked to third-party data handling. Whether the feature expands beyond Europe depends on reciprocal support from other platforms.
Regulatory Context
The DMA enforces more openness for platforms like WhatsApp, driving this development. The move might strengthen WhatsApp's market presence, while rivals like Telegram and Signal might gain more visibility.
Whether cross-app functionality becomes a global standard will rely on resolving technical issues and observing regulatory shifts.
