WhatsApp has begun testing a new feature in Europe that lets users send and receive messages from other messaging apps. In simple terms, this means someone could, at least in theory, chat with a friend who uses Telegram or Signal without leaving WhatsApp. It’s not exactly a creative experiment by Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, but rather a legal obligation under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The feature is currently being spotted by some beta testers in the EU, such as those using the Android beta version 2.25.33.8.
Key Takeaways
- The feature is currently limited to users in the European Union.
- It’s an “opt-in” option, meaning users need to enable it themselves.
- The change is required by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- Messages from other apps will appear in a folder named “Third-party chats”.
- WhatsApp has cautioned that spam and security risks could be higher in these external chats.
For users who receive the update, a new menu item called “Third-party chats” will show up under the “Account” section in settings. It’s turned off by default. Once a user activates it, they’ll notice a separate inbox sitting above their regular chat list. That separation is deliberate, helping people recognize that these conversations come from outside WhatsApp’s own system and may not follow the same data or privacy standards.
WhatsApp is rolling out the feature gradually. In the first phase, which is already being tested, users can exchange 1-to-1 text messages, as well as send images, voice notes, videos, and files. Meta has said group chats will be supported by 2025, while voice and video calls are expected by 2027.
The company has also explained that while WhatsApp itself relies on the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption, third-party developers can connect using other encryption systems, provided they meet WhatsApp’s security criteria. Even so, WhatsApp warns users that these apps might not offer the same level of encryption or data protection.
This entire shift stems from the EU’s Digital Markets Act; a law aimed at curbing the dominance of tech giants labeled as “gatekeepers” and forcing them to open up their services to smaller competitors. Since Meta falls into that category, WhatsApp was given until March 2024 to comply with the interoperability requirement.
That said, the picture isn’t completely seamless yet. Despite the DMA’s goal of connecting major platforms, leading apps like Signal and Telegram haven’t joined. Signal’s president, Meredith Whittaker, has said publicly that integrating with WhatsApp would compromise Signal’s strong privacy principles and that the company wouldn’t risk user security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can I message a Signal or Telegram user from WhatsApp?
A. Not at this time. Although the system is designed for this, major apps like Signal and Telegram must first agree to connect to WhatsApp’s system. Signal has publicly expressed strong concerns, stating it will not integrate because it fears a reduction in its privacy protections.
Q. Is it safe to use WhatsApp’s third-party chat feature?
A. WhatsApp itself warns users that these chats may be less secure. While WhatsApp requires end-to-end encryption, other apps may use different methods. WhatsApp also cautions that spam and scam messages might be more common from third-party services.
Q. Why is WhatsApp being forced to do this?
A. The European Union (EU) passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law identifies large tech platforms (like Meta) as “gatekeepers” and requires them to open their services to smaller competitors to make the market fairer. WhatsApp must comply with this law in the EU or face large fines.
Q. Will my third-party chats be end-to-end encrypted?
A. WhatsApp requires that all connected apps use end-to-end encryption. However, the exact technical standard may differ from WhatsApp’s own Signal protocol. WhatsApp cannot guarantee that the other app’s encryption is as strong as its own.
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