Meta is on the cusp of launching a third-party integration with WhatsApp in Europe, something required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It will be rolled out “over the coming months” while maintaining WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption (E2EE) level.
Mita says so BirdyChat and Hiket It will be the first third-party services to implement messaging interoperability with WhatsApp. No, we haven’t heard about them either, but this is what equal opportunity looks like.
WhatsApp users in Europe will eventually see a notification in the settings tab explaining how to opt in to third-party messaging. This app will work on WhatsApp for iOS and Android, but not on desktop, web, or tablets.
Meta says that “third-party messaging apps must use the same level of E2EE as WhatsApp,” and Meta cannot see encrypted messages in transit. Content can include text, images, videos, voice messages, and documents. It will also only work with users who have a WhatsApp account registered on phone numbers in areas covered by the DMA. According to the FAQ.
In September, Meta previewed what third-party integration with WhatsApp and Messenger would look like. It is worth noting that users will be given the option to receive third-party messages in a separate folder or a combined mailbox. Meta also said it will remind users “every time a new third-party messaging app becomes available.”
Meta warns that third-party apps “may handle your data differently” than they do — so is that a bad thing?