Meta provides an outlook on how WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger will meet the requirements for messenger interoperability set out in the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the future. Preparations for the first stage seem to be largely complete and we may see the expansion in action in the foreseeable future.
In accordance with EU requirements, the initial aim is to create a way to exchange text messages between two conversation partners across applications. Next year, the whole thing will be expanded to include group chats, and by 2027, it is planned to be possible to have audio or video chats between different messengers.
Reactions and read receipts included
Meta wants to offer the possibility of expanding pure text chats with so-called “rich messaging features” right from the start. This includes the ability to write direct replies as well as reactions, read receipts or the display that the conversation partner is currently typing.
As soon as a messenger app compatible with the interoperability requirements is available, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger users will be notified via notifications.
You can then decide whether you want to display the messages from the other apps in the central inbox of WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, or whether you want to manage the “third-party chats” separately in a separate folder.
WhatsApp and Messenger are currently the only gatekeeper apps
Meta’s two messenger apps are still the only ones in this area. The EU Commission has so far only named WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger as so-called gatekeeper services in the area of communication applications. In the eyes of the EU, Apple’s iMessage offering has not yet achieved a sufficiently dominant position in Europe.
In order to integrate their platforms into WhatsApp or Messenger, the providers of other apps must comply with the regulations published by Meta. Messenger interoperability guidelines follow.
