As part of Meta’s obligations under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the company is required to make WhatsApp and Messenger interoperable with other messaging apps like Apple Messages, Telegram, Signal, and Google Messages. Recently, Meta revealed how third-party chats on WhatsApp and Messenger will work for users in Europe.
These changes are limited to users in the EU, with no clear plans to expand availability worldwide. Although implementing interoperability globally wouldn’t be difficult once the European transition is complete, Meta lacks the motivation to do so.
Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, Meta allows users to choose which third-party apps they want to integrate. Users can keep third-party chats separated in a dedicated inbox folder or combine everything – WhatsApp, Messenger, and external messages – into a single unified inbox. Each Meta app presents these preferences during setup, but users can switch views anytime.
Making all these different messaging platforms talk to each other requires sharing access to the Signal Protocol used by WhatsApp. Third-party apps need to integrate the protocol and get Meta’s approval on the implementation.
In an effort to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Meta has revealed its plans to make WhatsApp and Messenger interoperable with other messaging apps like Apple Messages, Telegram, Signal, and Google Messages. Users in Europe will soon be able to choose which third-party apps they want to integrate with their Meta apps.
This change will allow users to keep their third-party chats in a separate inbox folder or combine them with their WhatsApp and Messenger chats in a single unified inbox. Meta will also offer full-fledged rich messaging features across third-party chats, including reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts.
One major hurdle in making different messaging platforms talk to each other is getting everyone on the same encryption protocol. Meta plans to share access to the Signal Protocol used by WhatsApp, but third-party apps will need to integrate this protocol and get Meta’s approval on the implementation.
The question remains, will Meta expand this feature beyond Europe, or will it be limited to users in the EU? Only time will tell.