Meta prepares EU WhatsApp third party messaging integration
Meta is preparing to roll out third-party messaging interoperability in WhatsApp across the European Union in order to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The functionality will be introduced “over the coming months” and will initially be available only on WhatsApp for iOS and Android, excluding desktop, web, and tablet clients. Interoperability will be limited to users whose WhatsApp accounts are registered to phone numbers in DMA-covered regions.
According to Meta, BirdyChat and Haiket will be the first third-party messaging services to integrate with WhatsApp under this framework. While these services are relatively unknown, their early participation illustrates the DMA’s objective of opening closed ecosystems to smaller competitors. WhatsApp users in Europe will be shown a notification in the settings tab explaining the option to opt in to third-party messaging and how to configure it.
Meta states that third-party messaging apps must implement end-to-end encryption (E2EE) at the same security level as WhatsApp for interoperability to be enabled. Meta further claims it will not be able to see encrypted content in transit. The interoperable messaging features will support text, photos, videos, voice messages, and documents, reflecting the DMA’s focus on functional equivalence and security preservation across services.
Users will be given a choice to receive third-party messages in either a separate folder or a combined inbox within WhatsApp. Meta also indicates that users will be reminded whenever a new third-party messaging app becomes available for integration. At the same time, Meta warns that third-party apps may process data differently, which highlights the need for careful assessment of privacy policies and data protection compliance under EU law, including the GDPR, alongside the new DMA interoperability obligations.
