WHATSAPP is planning a big change that will affect billions of users next year.
Owners Meta are being forced to make huge modifications due to a tough new EU law.
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WhatsApp and 21 other big tech brands were officially named as “gatekeepers” by the European Commission last week, meaning they’ll have to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The rules require WhatsApp to be interoperate with third-party messaging apps by March 2024.
So, friends and family who use rival messaging apps instead of WhatsApp will be able to text your WhatsApp account.
Leaked screenshots have revealed that Meta developers are already working away to make such a thing possible.
Images released by WABetaInfo show a brand new “third-party chats” option.
The DMA is designed to prevent dominant tech giants “from imposing unfair conditions” and to “ensure the openness of important digital services”.
It’s not clear whether the new feature will be limited to EU nations or be made available globally, seeing as the European Commission only has jurisdiction over the EU’s 27 member countries.
The law breaks down companies who’ll need to comply into eight groups.
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WhatsApp sits in the messaging category – officially called N-IICS – alongside Facebook Messenger.
The social networks are TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, while YouTube sits alone in video sharing.
Google Maps, Google Play, Google Shopping, Amazon Marketplace, Apple’s App Store and Meta Marketplace are classed as intermediation.
Google, Amazon and Meta fall into the advertising services group too, while Chrome and Safari are in the web browsers.
Unsurprisingly, Google Search sits alone in search and Android, iOS and Windows make up the operating systems category.
Companies have expressed concern about how the law will affect their services and platforms.
Meta has said it is evaluating the commission’s designation.
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