WhatsApp is launching third-party chat integration in Europe

Meta is connected the cusp of launching third-party integration with WhatsApp successful Europe — thing that’s required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It’s rolling retired “over the coming months” with WhatsApp’s level of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) maintained.

Meta says that BirdyChat and Haiket will beryllium the archetypal third-party services to instrumentality messaging interoperability with WhatsApp. No, we haven’t heard of them either, but that’s what leveling the playing tract looks like.

WhatsApp users successful Europe volition yet spot a notification successful the settings tab that volition explicate however to opt-in to 3rd enactment messaging. It volition enactment successful WhatsApp for iOS and Android, but not connected desktops, web, oregon tablets. 

Meta says that “third-party messaging apps indispensable usage the aforesaid level of E2EE arsenic WhatsApp,” and Meta can’t spot encrypted messages successful transit. Content tin see text, photos, videos, dependable messages, and documents. It volition besides lone enactment for users with a WhatsApp relationship registered to telephone numbers successful regions covered by the DMA, according to the FAQ.

In September, Meta previewed what third-party integration with WhatsApp and Messenger volition look like. Notably, users volition beryllium presented with the prime of receiving third-party messages successful a abstracted folder oregon combined inbox. Meta besides said it would punctual users “each clip a caller third-party messaging app becomes available.”

Meta warns that third-party apps “might grip your information differently” than it would — is that a atrocious thing?