WhatsApp set to launch third-party chat support

New Delhi: Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly preparing to allow third-party messaging apps on its platform ahead of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) coming into effect in March. WhatsApp engineering director Dick Brouwer told Wired that the company is ready to offer interoperability on the platform with more than 2 billion users. “There is a real tension between offering an easy way for third parties to offer this interoperability while preserving the privacy, security and integrity of WhatsApp. I think we’re pretty happy with where we’ve ended up,” he was quoted as saying in the report. It is unclear whether other operators like Telegram plan to add interoperability support with WhatsApp. Meta is also working on adding support for other chat apps to Messenger. According to the report, interoperability between both WhatsApp and Messenger will focus on sending text messaging, images, voice messages, videos, and files. Calls and group chats will come later. “One of the main requirements here, and this is really important, is for users to opt-in to this. I can choose whether I want to participate in exchanging messages with third parties. This is important, because this can be a huge source of spam and scams,” Brouwer said. WhatsApp users who opt in will see messages from other apps in a separate section at the top of their inbox. “Despite WhatsApp having been working on its interoperability plans for over a year, it will still take some time for third-party chats to reach people’s apps,” the report said. Non-compliance with the EU DMA will attract a fine of up to 10 percent of a company’s total worldwide annual turnover, or up to 20 percent in case of repeat violations.