Communication revolution: WhatsApp to merge with other messengers
WhatsApp and Messenger to open up to third-party chats at EU request (photo: Unsplash)
Meta has shared its plans for third-party chats on WhatsApp and Messenger. The change, which is coming to users in the European Union, introduces new features to combine Messenger and WhatsApp messages in one inbox with third-party chats, according to The Verge.
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The company is also rolling out new Messenger and WhatsApp notifications that will inform users when they can link chats from the newly supported apps.
Meta says it has surpassed the basic features required for cross-functional messaging and will offer advanced messaging features such as reactions, direct replies, input indicators, and read confirmation.
Next year, the company will also start to include the ability to create groups with other people in third-party chats. But Meta's cross-functionality plan goes beyond messaging - the company says it will be rolling out support for third-party video and voice calls in 2027.
The company is also introducing new messaging to Messenger and WhatsApp (photo: Meta)
Meta has been working for quite some time to make third-party chats available on WhatsApp and Messenger for EU users. The company is considered a ‘digital custodian’ under the EU Digital Markets Act.
This means that it has to comply with the requirements for WhatsApp and Messenger to be compatible with third-party apps such as iMessage, Telegram, Google Messages, Signal, and others.
It will have to overcome some obstacles, as other companies that want to integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger will need to use the same Signal protocol to ensure the privacy of messages.
In a copy of the agreement that third-party apps must sign, Meta says it will make the Signal protocol available to partners upon request.
Companies that want to integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger will have to use the same Signal protocol (photo: Meta)
