As required by the EU and the DMA, WhatsApp is introducing third-party chats. We show you what they look like and what additional features they have. Group and video call options will also be added in the coming years.
Users in the EU will soon be able to access third-party chats from WhatsApp and Messenger. Meta has shared a public update that not only reveals how the chats on other apps look and work, but also what additional features the social media group wants to introduce. However, users will have to wait a little longer before the features are available. Meta is currently developing these in consultation with partners and in accordance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. In March 2024, the deadline for major players to adapt their services to new requirements had passed. Meta is working hard to provide third-party chats because interoperability is required.
Tempting des Digital Markets Act:
Huge changes at Apple, WhatsApp and Co.
Easy to use and rich messaging: Third Party Chats from WhatsApp and Messenger
In a Blog Post shares meta updates after six months of work on the new third-party chat features for Messenger and WhatsApp. It explains that users of the services should receive notifications informing them about the chat function on third-party services. This feature will only be made available in the EU. There is always a reminder when a new third-party messaging app is available for sharing.
An onboarding area explains how users can manage third-party chats – and the individual third-party services for them. Users can also decide whether they want to integrate third-party chats directly into the apps’ inbox or display them separately. In addition, Meta does not want to offer only basic features for interoperable chat, even if that would be sufficient for the DMA regulations. That’s why reactions, direct replies, notifications of other users’ typing and read receipts are also integrated.
New features from 2025
In 2025, in accordance with the DMA, the ability to create groups will be added. Two years later, video and voice calls for third-party conversations will follow.
The third party chats will be further developed and will be visible when a third party messaging service offers a compatible UX and users can chat across services. It is therefore still unclear when exactly they will be available to users, including in Germany. In a detailed Contribution to messaging interoperability Meta goes into detail about requirements, challenges and feature options.
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Source: onlinemarketing.de
