WhatsApp is developing a tool that will allow send and receive messages from other messaging appslike Telegram or Signal. The function seeks to expand the possibilities of communication between users of different platforms and reduce dependence on a single app.
As revealed WIREDthe company is working on an interoperability system that will open the platform to external services without compromising privacy or the end-to-end encryption that characterizes the application.
How the new tool will work
According to The Vergethis function is known internally as third-party chats or “third-party chats”, and will allow WhatsApp users to receive messages from other apps whenever they decide to integrate into the Meta ecosystem.
In the first phase, the system will work only with individual text messages, while the options for sending images, audio or calls will be added later.
The exchange will be carried out through a open APIwhich will allow interested apps to request integration under the same security standards that WhatsApp currently uses.
What it means for users in the United States
For now, this tool Not available in the US.since its development responds to the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA)a European regulation that forces large technology companies to allow interoperability between services. However, experts note that if the feature proves to be stable and secure, could gradually spread to other markets outside the European Union.
This would open the door to a major change in the way millions of people communicate, allowing a WhatsApp user, for example, to write to someone who only uses Telegram, without installing a new application.
The influence of the European model
The project was born in response to European Union legislation, which from 2024 requires companies like Meta, Apple and Google to offer more open ecosystems. In the case of WhatsApp, the company must guarantee full interoperability before 2026, as confirmed The Verge.