WhatsApp to open up to other messaging apps in compliance with EU law

Remember that awkward moment when your friend wants to chat on Telegram but you're glued to WhatsApp and have to download Telegram even if you don't want to?

Soon, those days might be over!

WhatsApp, the messaging giant used by over 2 billion people today, is preparing to open its doors to other messaging apps in compliance with EU law.

This means you could be chatting with your Telegram-loving bestie or your Signal-secure colleague directly within the WhatsApp interface.

In an interview with Wired, Dick Brouwer, an engineering director at Meta's company WhatsApp, said that the company is ready to offer interoperability (Third-party chats) on the platform with over 2 billion users.

He said:

“There’s a real tension between offering an easy way to offer this interoperability to third parties whilst at the same time preserving the WhatsApp privacy, security, and integrity bar."

This means you will enjoy end-to-end encryption even if the third-party chat app is not offering it to you.

"I think we’re pretty happy with where we’ve landed,” he added.

This change isn't just a friendly gesture – it's a response to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law aims to create a fairer playing field for tech giants, and forcing them to play nice with their competitors is part of the deal.

So, how will this work?

Imagine a new tab within WhatsApp called "Third-party chats." Here, you could seamlessly send messages, photos, and even videos to your friends on other apps, all without leaving WhatsApp. Sounds cool, right?

But hold on, security still matters. WhatsApp wants to ensure your conversations stay private, so they're making end-to-end encryption mandatory for any app joining the party. This might throw a wrench in the plans of some platforms, especially Apple with its iMessage restrictions.

However, Dick Brouwer said:

“I can choose whether or not I want to participate in being open to exchanging messages with third parties. This is important, because it could be a big source of spam and scams.”

While the full features might not be identical across apps, it's a big step towards a more connected messaging world. This move follows a growing trend of apps trying to bring all your chats under one roof, like Texts.com and Beeper (though Apple isn't a big fan of the latter).

Will Telegram, Viber, and Google join the WhatsApp party?

We'll have to wait and see. But one thing's for sure: the way we message is about to change, and it could mean more freedom and flexibility for all of us. So, get ready to say goodbye to app silos and hello to a more unified messaging future!