WhatsApp has introduced a new feature known as “Third-party chats,” as per reports from WABetaInfo.
Currently, this screen is non-functional and inaccessible to users, but its name strongly suggests it could be the initial step toward enabling Meta’s encrypted messaging app to work seamlessly across different platforms.
This beta update follows closely on the heels of the European Commission’s confirmation that Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, qualifies as a “gatekeeper” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA mandates that communication software, such as WhatsApp, must be capable of interoperating with third-party messaging apps by March 2024.
The DMA’s primary objectives, according to the European Commission‘s FAQ about the law, are to prevent gatekeepers from imposing unfair conditions and to ensure the openness of essential digital services.
In addition to requiring messaging apps to support interoperability, the DMA imposes various other obligations on gatekeepers, including allowing users to uninstall pre-installed apps and access alternative app stores.
Both Meta and Microsoft are in the process of developing their own mobile app stores in response to the DMA.
The European Commission is also conducting an investigation to determine whether Apple’s iMessage and Microsoft’s Bing search engine, Edge browser, and advertising service meet the criteria outlined in the new regulation.
