WhatsApp is an extremely popular instant messaging applicationwhich allows you to converse with people who are even extremely distant geographically. The only limit it places, is that both users are using WhatsApp. That is makes communications with those who use other tools difficultsuch as iMessage, Signal, Telegram and many other apps on the market and widely used by web users.
A limit that will soon be overcomethanks to new laws of the European Union (Digital Market Act) which aim to make the instant messaging service and Facebook Messenger gatekeeper services, i.e. services interoperable with other applications with similar functionality.
It’s about a real revolution, difficult to imagine and manage. Dick Brouwer, technical director of WhatsApp, directly provided further clarification and how it intends to make WhatsApp a cross-app messaging app.
Interoperable chats, how they will work on WhatsApp
The interoperable chats will be available on WhatsApp, but they will not be enabled by default on the platform. This means it will be the user, aware of all the pros and all the consto decide whether to activate them or whether to continue using the application in the same way as always.
Interoperability has great pros: it allows everyone to exchange messages, using the application they prefer, without limits. However, you also need to know the risks of this option. The number of spam and scam attempts may increase significantly and less attentive users could fall victim to the initiatives of malicious people who want to obtain data, private information and money.
Initially, it will only be possible to exchange text messages, images, videos and files in chats from different apps. Calls, video calls and group chats will not be activated at this time.
WhatsApp and interoperable chat, initiatives to protect security
To ensure that users are always clear on what type of chat they are using and to allow them to take all the necessary precautions to protect security and privacy, those who will use cross-app chats will display the contents in a separate area of the application.
Messages from senders using other applications will be placed in the box Third party chat, which can be accessed thanks to an icon positioned at the top of the screen. When you decide to view and interact in this section, you should be aware that WhatsApp will not be able to guarantee maximum protection as with native messages.
Furthermore, Meta has launched initiatives to increase the level of safety. It is requiring all services that want to be interoperable with WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to sign an agreement to ensure that the terms established by the company are respected. There is no shortage of attempts to also enforce the Signal encryption protocol or others that meet WhatsApp security standards.
The news on WhatsApp will be implemented soon: already in the coming weeks we could see this important change. At the moment, WhatsApp employees and developers seem to be satisfied with the results obtained and the balance achieved between compliance with the new interoperability regulations and protection of the privacy and security of their customers.
To know more: Guide to WhatsApp: how to use and install WhatsApp