Meta is preparing to integrate third-party messaging support into WhatsApp to fulfill an obligation mandated under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to the company’s statement, this feature will be gradually rolled out in the coming months. WhatsApp will protect its strong end-to-end encryption (E2EE) system in this integration as well.
Thanks to the new system, WhatsApp users will be able to communicate securely with different messaging applications. It was announced that two platforms named BirdyChat and Haiket will realize this integration in the first stage. Although these practices are not well known to the public, such examples are expected to increase in line with new regulations aimed at balancing competition.
This feature will not be supported in WhatsApp web application
WhatsApp users in Europe will be able to choose whether or not to participate in third-party messaging support through a notification in the application settings menu. The system will be active on iOS and Android platforms; However, this support will not be offered in desktop applications, web version and tablets.
According to the technical information published by Meta, third-party messaging applications are required to use end-to-end encryption technology at the same level as WhatsApp. Meta states that it will not be able to access message contents and that messages will only be encrypted between the sender and the recipient. Shared content will include text messages, photos, videos, voice messages and documents. However, this system will only work for WhatsApp numbers registered in regions covered by DMA, which is valid within the European Union.
In a promotion it made in September, Meta previewed what kind of third-party integration would be offered via WhatsApp and Messenger. Accordingly, users will be able to view third-party messages either in their existing inbox or in a separate folder. It was also stated that users will be informed whenever a new third-party application is added.
However, Meta warns that third-party applications may process user data in different ways. It is emphasized that users should consider that each application may take a different approach to data security. On the other hand, considering the problems Meta has had with user privacy in the past, this may be considered a positive change for some users.
With the entry into force of the DMA, the aim was to put an end to the anti-competitive practices of large technology companies. WhatsApp’s third-party messaging support is also among the steps taken in this context.