WhatsApp is taking a significant step towards the interoperability of messaging applications, facilitating communication between users of different platforms.
This new feature, which will start in Europe, will allow users to send messages, photos, and documents through third-party messaging applications, starting with BirdyChat as the only supported application so far.
The implementation of this functionality responds to the demands of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, which requires large platforms to open their communication channels to other services.
WhatsApp introduces end-to-end encryption for third-party chats
Although many users have been requesting this capability, WhatsApp’s move seems to be, in part, a reaction to regulations aimed at avoiding potential penalties for anti-competitive practices.
According to WABetaInfo, the recent beta version of WhatsApp includes a new setting in the Settings section that will allow users to manage chats with third-party applications. Although this feature will cover basic communication needs, such as sending messages and images, certain native WhatsApp features, such as statuses and stickers, will not be available.
User privacy is also guaranteed, as messages will be end-to-end encrypted, meaning that WhatsApp will not be able to access the content exchanged in these chats. However, it is possible that, depending on the rules of third-party applications, people blocked on WhatsApp may be able to contact through these new features.
As this innovative functionality expands, it is expected that more applications will be compatible to enrich the communication ecosystem. This interoperability promises to simplify digital communication, reducing the need to have multiple applications installed and giving users greater control over how and with whom they communicate. The arrival of third-party chat functionality is anticipated to open new opportunities for WhatsApp in a competitive market.