Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp to work better with other chat apps

In November 2022, the European Commission brought into effect the Digital Markets Act, a law that aims to ensure fair competition in the digital market by preventing large platforms from abusing their power. One of the things it focuses on is interoperability between various messaging platforms, where major services, including Meta’s Messenger and WhatsApp, are required to work with other messaging platforms. A few months ago, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company provided initial details on how it is going to comply with the law. Now, it has provided more details on the matter.

In a new blog post, Meta has announced three major features that Messenger and WhatsApp will offer for third-party chats.

First, Messenger and WhatsApp will notify users whenever a new third-party messaging platform becomes available to work with them, helping users connect with people on other platforms as soon as possible.

Second, both messaging platforms will give people an option to keep chats from third-party services in a separate folder or the same folder as the first-party chats, enabling them to manage their chats better.

Third, Meta says that it will go “above and beyond the basic features required for interoperable messaging under DMA” and enable Messenger and WhatsApp to offer rich messaging features, including read receipts, typing indicators, replies, and reactions with third-party services. Furthermore, in 2025, it will equip the two messaging platforms with the ability to create groups, and in 2027, the ability for voice and video calls, with third-party apps.