Meta on Friday published an update on how it plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European law that aims to promote competition in digital markets, where the law concerns the company's messaging apps, Messenger and WhatsApp.
As Meta points out in a Blog entryThe DMA requires that an option be provided in WhatsApp and Messenger to connect with interoperable third-party messaging services and apps. Meta says it is incorporating notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger to inform users about these third-party integrations and alert them when a new compatible third-party messaging app is online.
The company also says it is introducing an onboarding flow in WhatsApp and Messenger where users can learn more about third-party chats and turn them on. From the flow, users will be able to set up a designated folder for third-party messages or alternatively opt for a combined inbox.
In 2025, Meta will implement group functionality for third-party chats, and in 2027, it will launch voice and video calling in accordance with the DMA.
And at some unspecified point in the future, Meta will bring “rich messaging” features for third-party chats to WhatsApp and Messenger, such as reactions, direct replies, typing indicators and read receipts, the company says.
“We will continue to collaborate with third-party messaging services to provide the best and safest experience,” Meta wrote in the post. “Users will begin to see the option for third-party chat when a third-party messaging service has built, tested, and launched the technology necessary to make the feature a positive and safe user experience.”
WhatsApp and Messenger's upcoming interoperability features aren't necessarily a sure bet. As we've reported previouslyIt’s unclear whether other major messaging operators, such as Viber and Telegram, will support them. WhatsApp will require end-to-end encryption to enable interoperability, which could also present technical hurdles. Additionally, Meta requires companies to sign an agreement (the details of which have not been made public) to integrate with any of its systems.
Matthew Hodgson, founder of open-source messaging protocol Matrix, for example, noted in a talk this year that Matrix will work with WhatsApp, with end-to-end encryption intact, “on an experimental basis.”
Meta is attempting to comply with its obligations under the messaging-related clauses of the DMA, but the company has been criticized for allegedly violating other components of the legislation.
This summer, the European Commission said Meta’s “pay or consent” advertising model, which offers EU Facebook and Instagram users the choice between a paid ad-free experience or a free ad-supported version, did not comply with the DMA.
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