Digital Markets Act enforces WhatsApp interoperability

Digital Markets Act enforces WhatsApp interoperability

The EU's Digital Markets Act, or DMA for short, sets the basis for greater interoperability between messenger services. WhatsApp will be required to create an interface with other services to enable communication between them. This move has been positively received by many consumers as it allows them more flexibility in choosing their preferred messenger. Instead of having to install multiple messengers to communicate with different contacts, a single service could be enough.

However, the obligation to open messenger services currently only affects companies that are classified as “gatekeepers”. These companies also include Meta, the operator of Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. WhatsApp was also classified as a gatekeeper in September 2023. According to the DMA's rules, Meta would have had to provide an update for WhatsApp by March 2024 to ensure technical interoperability. Although a beta version has been announced, the exact procedure is still pending. Consumers must therefore continue to be patient until WhatsApp can actually communicate with other services.

However, some messenger services have already decided against opening their apps to WhatsApp. Data protection concerns play a crucial role here, as they fear that WhatsApp does not offer the same standard of protection as their own services. WhatsApp's new privacy policy, effective April 11, 2024, shows that data is collected from non-WhatsApp users when they interact with third-party apps. This reinforces some providers' privacy concerns.

The future of interoperability between messenger services therefore remains unclear, as other providers such as Threema and Signal are reluctant to connect to WhatsApp. Despite these obstacles, WhatsApp is now obliged to create an interface with other services in a timely manner in order to meet the requirements of the DMA.