Tech

Meta details WhatsApp and Messenger’s cross-app messaging

Published

4 months ago

September 11, 2024

Admin

Meta details WhatsApp and Messenger’s cross-app messaging

Despite the expanding number of messaging systems, the great majority function in silos, prohibiting seamless connection between apps. Facebook Messenger users can only communicate with other Messenger users, and WhatsApp users have similar limitations. However, things are going to be different for consumers in Europe.

The shift comes as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that large tech companies must open their platforms to third-party services. This means that people will soon be able to chat with users on third-party apps from WhatsApp and Messenger. While Meta has been expected to implement this change for some time, the details of how the company will achieve this are now becoming clearer.

Although a specific timeline has yet to be set, Meta has shared some of its plans. The company has indicated that while individual third-party chats will be the first to roll out, group messaging will follow in 2025, and calling functionality will be available by 2027. Due to the DMA, this compatibility requirement is currently only applicable to Europe, although it is difficult to envisage Meta limiting such a key function to one region. Cross-platform messaging may soon grow to other markets, including the United States and beyond.

Meta has provided more details about the upcoming chat experience for WhatsApp and Messenger users. The company is working to make cross-platform messaging more transparent and accessible, taking into account feedback from users and third-party services. According to Meta:

“We’ve heard loud and clear from other messaging services that the option for users to connect with people using other apps should be clear and easy to find. As a result, we’ve built new notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger that inform users about third-party chats. We will remind users each time a new third-party messaging app becomes available.”

Meta also emphasised the importance of user control over the experience. Meta is developing a simple onboarding process where users can learn more about third-party chats and decide whether to enable them. Users will have the option to select which third-party apps they wish to connect with and how to manage their inbox. They can choose to combine messages from all apps into a single inbox or keep them separated based on their preferences.

While the DMA requires only basic interoperability, Meta is going beyond that. In addition to enabling basic messaging functions, it plans to support richer features such as message reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts, which are often absent in basic cross-platform interactions.

Meta’s role in the interoperability process is largely that of a facilitator, as the company has indicated that it will collaborate closely with third-party services. Meta will ensure that, once a third-party messaging service is ready, cross-platform communication will be secure and reliable. As the company explained:

“We will keep collaborating with third-party messaging services to provide the safest and best experience. Users will start to see the third-party chat option when a third-party messaging service has built, tested, and launched the necessary technology to make the feature a positive and secure user experience.”

While many of these changes are still in the works, the move represents a huge step in breaking down the barriers between messaging apps. Though the DMA is driving this growth in Europe, it remains to be seen how quickly interoperability spreads globally. Meta’s emphasis on rich messaging capabilities and user control suggests that the firm is prepared for a future in which messaging is no longer limited to certain apps, resulting in a more unified communication experience.

(Photo by Dima Solomin)