September 09, 2024
Meta has announced that it will allow third-party apps to call WhatsApp and Messenger users starting in 2027, in accordance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA aims to increase competition in digital markets and specifically affects Meta’s messaging apps, namely Messenger and WhatsApp.
According to Meta’s blog post, the DMA requires WhatsApp and Messenger to allow their users to interconnect with third-party messaging services. The company is currently working on implementing in-app notifications to notify users when these third-party integrations become available and to keep them informed about new supported services.
Meta is working to introduce new features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts for third-party chats on WhatsApp and Messenger in the future. The company highlighted its ongoing collaboration with third-party messaging services to provide users with a safe and seamless experience.
However, there are still uncertainties about the implementation of these interoperability features by other major messaging platforms, such as Viber and Telegram. In addition, the technical need for end-to-end encryption within WhatsApp may present obstacles. Meta also requires companies to enter into an agreement to connect with its systems, the details of which were recently revealed.
Open-source messaging protocol Matrix, through its founder Matthew Hodgson, has expressed its willingness to work with WhatsApp on an experimental basis while maintaining end-to-end encryption.
While Meta strives to comply with the DMA’s messaging requirements, it has faced criticism for allegedly failing to comply with other aspects of the legislation. Earlier this year, the European Commission raised concerns about Meta’s “pay or consent” advertising model for Facebook and Instagram, claiming it does not comply with the DMA.