Meta Enhances WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for Interoperability in Europe

Meta is introducing significant changes to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to ensure seamless communication with other messaging apps in Europe, as reported by tech publication Engadget.

These updates are driven by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires large companies to maintain consistency of services with third-party services and prohibits favoring their own services.

Meta has outlined the details of these changes in a recent post.

Phase 1: User Notifications and Customization

Users will receive notifications on WhatsApp and Messenger when another service is available to connect.

They will have the option to choose whether they want to receive messages from those applications in a separate mailbox or integrated into the existing inbox of Meta applications.

Advanced Features for Interoperable Messages

Apps will have advanced features for messages from other apps, including message reactions, direct replies, or read receipts.

Future Updates: Group Chats and Voice/Video Calls

Starting next year, users will be able to create group chats with friends from other apps.

From 2027, they’ll be able to make voice and video calls with friends from other apps.