WhatsApp Plans Interoperability with Other Messaging Apps in EU

Meta’s instant messaging platform, WhatsApp, may interoperate with other messaging apps to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union. 

In an interview with the technology news platform Wired, Engineering Director at WhatsApp Dick Brouwer, shared details on the plans.

Challenges Faced by WhatsApp:

WhatsApp has been working on a way for other messaging apps to interoperate with the service to allow users to connect across platforms. However, it has not been easy for Meta-owned WhatsApp to do this without compromising on its user’s security and privacy. 

Commenting on the difficulties faced by the company, Brouwer said, “There’s a real tension between offering an easy way to offer this interoperability to third parties while at the same time preserving the WhatsApp privacy, security, and integrity bar.”

Balancing Privacy and Interoperability:

Speaking on how WhatsApp plans to allow interoperability without jeopardizing the privacy of users, Brouwer said that one of the core requirements would be users’ willingness to allow others to connect with them using third-party apps. 

“I can choose whether or not I want to participate in being open to exchanging messages with third parties. This is important because it could be a big source of spam and scams,” he said.

Brouwer mentioned that the full details about the change will be published in March, and the company will have several months to implement it. 

He said that Meta would prefer it if other apps used the Signal encryption protocol which its systems are based upon. Besides WhatsApp and Meta’s Messenger, Google Messages and Skype also use this encryption protocol.

Technical Aspects and Flexibility:

WhatsApp will also allow other platforms to use different protocols if they can reach the security standards that WhatsApp outlines in its guidance. 

Brouwer said there is the option to add a proxy between other apps and WhatsApp’s server, giving developers more “flexibility.”

Current Progress and Company’s Approach:

Brouwer stated that the company is currently working on the interoperability features and the level of support it will make available for companies wanting to integrate with it. It is also unclear which platforms are interested in connecting their services to the App.

Get all the latest news on Indian daily post.