WhatsApp has begun testing a new feature allowing European users to exchange messages with other applications, a step mandated by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
This development marks a significant shift for Meta’s messaging platform, traditionally a closed ecosystem. The interoperability is currently available only to beta program participants within Europe.
The move is a direct consequence of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation compels major digital platforms, including Meta, to open their services to competition and allow for greater user choice.
The aim is to enable WhatsApp users to send and receive messages, images, videos, and voice messages from individuals using compatible third-party messaging services. This can be done without users needing to switch between different applications.
WhatsApp intends to maintain its end-to-end encryption and security standards for these cross-platform communications. Conversations originating from external services may be visibly separated within the app to prevent confusion.
Compatibility remains very limited at this early stage, with only one third-party application, BirdyChat, mentioned as integrated. Other messaging apps will need to adapt their technology to meet both WhatsApp’s technical requirements and the DMA’s stipulations.
This adaptation process is expected to take time, as each service must ensure seamless communication and a robust level of security. The interoperability feature is not planned for regions outside of Europe.
Interested users in Europe can opt into the beta program through the Google Play Store to access the early testing phase of this mandated functionality.