Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Messenger, has unveiled its plan to integrate third-party chats into these platforms, specifically targeting users in the European Union (EU).
The integration will enable third-party apps to connect with WhatsApp and Messenger, allowing users to chat across different apps without compromising the end-to-end encryption that protects the privacy and security of messages.
This marks the first time WhatsApp has opened itself up in this way, potentially fostering greater competition in the messaging space.
This move isn’t entirely voluntary for Meta. In September, EU lawmakers designated Meta as one of six major “gatekeeper” companies under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The legislation requires these companies to open their platforms to competitors within six months. As the deadline approaches, WhatsApp is outlining how interoperability with other apps will function.
Meta is also adding new features to Messenger and WhatsApp, including notifications that inform users when they can link chats from newly supported apps. Meta claims to have “gone above and beyond the basic features” required for interoperable messaging, offering rich features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts.
Next year, users will also be able to create group chats with people using third-party apps. Meta’s long-term plan extends beyond messaging, as it aims to introduce support for third-party video and voice calls by 2027.
