Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger, has announced its plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by allowing third-party applications to make calls to users of these platforms. The DMA, an EU law aimed at promoting digital market competition, requires Meta to provide interoperability between its messaging services and third-party apps.
Complying with the Digital Markets Act
In a recent blog post, Meta outlined its strategy for adhering to the DMA, which specifically involves its messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger. The company stated that it is working on building notification features within WhatsApp and Messenger to inform users about third-party integrations and alert them when new compatible messaging apps are launched.
User Onboarding and Folder Settings
To facilitate this interoperability, Meta will introduce a welcome interface within WhatsApp and Messenger, allowing users to learn more about third-party chats and enable them. During this process, users will be able to set up specific folders for third-party messages or choose to merge their inboxes.
Future Features and Timelines
Meta plans to launch third-party chat group functionality in 2025 and voice and video call features in 2027, as required by the DMA. In the future, the company will also bring rich information features such as reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts to WhatsApp and Messenger for third-party chats.
Collaboration with Third-Party Services
Meta emphasized its commitment to working with third-party messaging services to provide the safest and best user experience. We will continue to work with third-party messaging services to provide the safest and best experience, the company wrote in its post. Users will start to see third-party chat options when third-party messaging services establish, test, and launch the necessary technology to make the feature a positive and secure user experience.
Potential Challenges and Interoperability Concerns
The upcoming interoperability features for WhatsApp and Messenger may not be universally available. It remains unclear whether other major messaging operators like Viber and Telegram will support these features. WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption requirement could pose technical obstacles to interoperability. Additionally, Meta requires companies to sign agreements before integrating with its services, but the details of these agreements have not been publicly disclosed.
Collaboration with Matrix
Open-source information protocol Matrix’s founder, Matthew Hodgson, mentioned in a speech this year that Matrix will collaborate with WhatsApp on end-to-end encryption on an experimental basis.
Fulfilling DMA Obligations and Legal Challenges
While Meta is attempting to fulfill its DMA information-related obligations, the company has faced criticism for other aspects of its business. This summer, the European Commission stated that Meta’s pay or agree advertising model, which allows Facebook and Instagram users in the EU to choose between a paid, ad-free experience or a free, ad-supported version, does not comply with the DMA’s provisions.
Conclusion
Meta’s plans to enable third-party calls to WhatsApp and Messenger users reflect its commitment to complying with the DMA and promoting digital market competition. While the company faces challenges and legal issues, its efforts to provide interoperability between its messaging services and third-party apps could ultimately enhance user experience and promote innovation within the digital communication landscape.
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