WhatsApp will soon start supporting third-party chats, allowing users to send and receive messages. The announcement was made last week by the parent company of instant messaging platform Meta. The company said the decision to adjust its plans was made after the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force in 2022. Meta had previously called for an expansion of the program, which highlighted the complexity of ensuring encryption by third parties. However, these issues have now been resolved and WhatsApp says it is ready to roll out the feature to its users.
WhatsApp introduces third-party chat
In a Newsroom post, Meta highlighted that it took another six months to develop the interoperability technology that allows users to interact in separate messaging apps. The same is integrated into Messenger, a messaging app integrated with Facebook. Meta claims that the integration of this feature will “preserve user privacy and security to the greatest extent possible.”
The social media giant also shared what the feature will look like when it becomes available to users. WhatsApp plans to create new notifications for the app that will inform users about third-party chats. Whenever a new messaging app becomes available, WhatsApp notifies users a reminder.
Additionally, the instant messaging platform has added an input stream for users to enable third-party chat. Inbox allows users to choose which third-party apps they want to receive messages from and how they want to manage their inbox.
The company plans to give users the option to separate third-party chats from the main Inbox interface or integrate them all. If you want to keep your messages separate, you can have them sent to a separate folder.
WhatsApp users can also enjoy some of the app’s unique features such as: E.g. reacting to messages, direct replies, adding highlights and read receipts. In addition, the company plans to offer the ability to create groups and make voice and video calls in 2027.
The company announced that it is working with third-party messaging services to provide a secure experience for WhatsApp users.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
