Beta WhatsApp shows screen for received chats from other apps

A beta of WhatsApp shows a screen for ‘third party chats’. It appears that this is a function to comply with the rules of the European Digital Markets Act, which requires Meta to open WhatsApp to other chat apps.

WhatsApp: third party chats

It is the first time that something can be seen of the implementation of the DMA rules, writes WABetaInfo. These rules also require that end-to-end encryption must remain intact when communicating with other apps. It is still unclear exactly how Meta will implement this.

In the interface, it appears that WhatsApp will separate chats via its own app from those of third parties, rather than integrating them into a list. The screen is otherwise blank and does not work yet. There should also be an opt-out for the function of receiving messages from other chat apps.

Meta still has six months to integrate interoperability with other chat apps. Last week, the EU indicated which services fall under the gatekeepers under the DMA legislation. Meta has not yet said anything about the precise implementation of the EU rules.