A new feature that will enable users to interact with and message others from other applications is being developed by WhatsApp. This implies that WhatsApp users won't need their recipients to download WhatsApp in order to connect with them. Instead, they will be able to speak with users of other platforms. A new panel dubbed "Third-party chats" is purportedly present in a recently published WhatsApp for Android beta update (version 2.23.19.8).
The new third-party conversations feature is presently being tested with beta users, according to WABetaInfo, a website that monitors advancements involving WhatsApp. The screen is currently not usable or accessible by users. However, the window's name clearly implies that this is most likely the first step towards making it possible for Meta's encrypted messaging software to work smoothly across many devices.
Notably, the European Commission designated Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, as a "gatekeeper" under the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which led to the introduction of the beta version of WhatsApp's cross-platform messaging functionality. The DMA requires third-party messaging programs to be interoperable with communication tools like WhatsApp by March 2024.
What's new in WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.23.19.8? WABetaInfo tweeted on X.com (formerly Twitter) about WhatsApp's new third-party chat functionality. Support for chat interoperability is being developed by WhatsApp in order to comply with new EU rules; it will be included in a future version of the app.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), sometimes known as the "gatekeepers," is a new legislative effort in the European Union that aims to regulate significant internet firms. According to the DMA, these gatekeepers are businesses that significantly sway the internal market by holding sway over crucial inputs or infrastructure, gathering and exploiting data, or favoring their own goods or services.
Gatekeepers must adhere to certain regulations under the DMA, including:
The requirement that communication tools, such as WhatsApp, be compatible with third-party messaging programs is one of the DMA's most significant regulations. This implies that users, irrespective of the platform they use, will be able to send and receive messages across several messaging services. It is anticipated that this invention would enhance user communication by enabling frictionless interactions independent of the user's messaging app settings.
Both Meta and Microsoft are getting ready to launch their own app stores for mobile devices in compliance with the rules. The Bing search engine, Edge browser, and advertising platform from Microsoft, as well as Apple's iMessage, are being examined by the European Commission to see if they meet the requirements of the most recent laws.