Meta is currently working to improve WhatsApp interoperability by giving users the ability to send direct messages to people on different platforms like Signal.
Evidence for this update comes from WABetaInfo, which reveals that the feature was found in a recent beta version of WhatsApp for iOS. The publication offers very few concrete details, but enough so that we can get an idea of what the final version will be like.
An image in the post shows that the Chats tab will have a new section exclusively for third-party conversations, which will store all external chats. Users will apparently have manual control over this feature with the option to disable it at any time. Additionally, text messages to and from third-party sources will feature end-to-end encryption to ensure complete privacy.
📝 WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.2.10.72: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a chat interoperability feature to comply with new EU regulations and it will be available in a future update. pic.twitter.com/9s49xosAfCJanuary 24, 2024
It is unknown exactly how many or which platforms will be able to communicate with WhatsApp. Signal is only mentioned as an example.
Normally, we will tell you to install the beta version of WhatsApp on iOS to test this feature. However, the TestFlight program for the platform is completely full at the time of writing. It is unknown if additional locations will open in the future. But, if you own an Android phone, you can join the Google Play Beta Program and download the WhatsApp beta from there. You may have the opportunity to test the update. Google's service tends to have more slots available for people interested in early versions of software.
New rules
Although not officially confirmed, WABetaInfo believes that this increased interoperability is a result of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA, if you don't remember or are familiar with it, is a law passed in 2022 aimed directly at major tech corporations. Their main goal is to limit the amount of power these “gatekeepers” have over the industry and its users. One of the new rules requires companies that own a messaging platform (i.e. Meta) to allow people to talk to other people on third-party apps. EU regulators didn't like the fact that these services essentially functioned as islands; isolated from each other and forcing users to follow their rules.
After the law was passed, government officials in Europe gave these corporations enough time to prepare their services for when the DMA officially goes into effect. The EU will begin implementing the legislation on March 6.
It is unknown when the WhatsApp interoperability update will be implemented. Given that the effective date is just over a month away, we may see it come out sometime in February or very early March. Perhaps it will come out to Android first, since its beta version has been out since September 2023. Please note that this is all speculation on our part. Things can always change.
Until then, check out TechRadar's roundup of the best encrypted messaging apps for Android of 2024.
You may also like
