WhatsApp is engaged on interoperability with third-party chat apps for compliance with the Digital Markets Act within the EU.
A brand new video reveals customers should manually opt-in for third-party chat assist below Account settings
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Third-party chats will probably be stored separate from WhatsApp chats, with restricted assist for options.
WhatsApp is arguably one of many hottest encrypted immediate messaging apps on Android, usually locking horns with different well-liked companies like Telegram and Sign. Nonetheless, such recognition attracted regulator consideration within the EU, the place the European Fee deemed the app a gatekeeper as outlined within the Digital Markets Act. To safeguard its plans for continued operations available in the market, Meta is giving WhatsApp interoperability with different apps and we now have our first take a look at the implementation forward of its official launch.
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Assist for integrating with third-party chat apps has been within the works since September 2023, or perhaps even earlier than that, however improvement has been sluggish, and largely behind closed doorways. Because the title suggests, interoperability will enable WhatsApp to obtain messages despatched from different chat apps like Telegram, and WhatsApp customers will probably be allowed to answer and work together with the sender with out exiting the app.
We final noticed Meta discussing this in February, when WhatsApp made it clear the characteristic will stay unique to the “European Area,” but it surely additionally disclosed the technical specs, so different apps can be a part of with out breaking encryption requirements. Though just a few associated screenshots surfaced earlier, respected app sleuth AssembleDebug lately shared a video which clarifies a number of particulars (through SmartDroid).
Interoperability is simply across the nook
From the video, it’s evident that the choice for third-party chat assist will probably be an opt-in, which means customers should allow it manually. The toggle ought to be obtainable below Settings → Account → Third-party chats. Right here, WhatsApp shows a distinguished notification warning customers that scams and spam could also be extra prevalent in third-party chats, and so they might deal with consumer knowledge otherwise.
In a subsequent onboarding display, the app explains that folks utilizing different apps may look you up utilizing your cellphone quantity, and this will embody folks you’ve blocked on WhatsApp. Nonetheless, Meta doesn’t share your title and profile image with them. Understandably, superior app options like disappearing messages, stickers, and emoji reactions to messages aren’t supported.
On the ultimate display, you get to decide on the supported third-party apps the place your cellphone quantity will probably be searchable. The checklist is empty within the video as a result of the characteristic hasn’t rolled out but, however you possibly can revisit these settings below Settings → Account → Third-party chats → Chosen apps. As soon as enabled, an possibility referred to as Third-party chats ought to present up on the prime of the Chats tab. Evidently, Meta plans to maintain WhatsApp chats separate from third-party chats, fairly like locked conversations.
That stated, the UI for this characteristic appears prepared for prime time, and ought to be due for launch very quickly. We sincerely hope regulatory strain forces WhatsApp to make this an ordinary characteristic in all markets, however that’s simply wishful pondering for now.
