Testing a feature to send messages between WhatsApp and Telegram

Testing a feature to send messages between WhatsApp and Telegram

It shouldn't be long before we can send messages between different apps, such as from WhatsApp to Telegram and vice versa.

This new interoperability feature between similar apps is foreseen in the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) presented by the European Union, with the aim of limiting the market power of some digital platforms.

Index of contents
  1. Test image of the feature leaked on the Internet
  2. The WFD has identified the 6 "gatekeepers".

Test image of the feature leaked on the Internet

According to information leaked by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for Android update 2.23.19.8 already includes a test of the interoperability feature between apps.

As you can see in the image above, the test version includes a new section titled "third-party chat". If the new rules are implemented, this area should show chats sent from different apps.

At the moment, the section is still empty even in the test version and has not yet been developed by Meta. For the time being, the companies responsible for the messaging applications have not presented a timetable for the implementation of this function. However, the DMA foresees a deadline of six months for compliance with the new principle of interoperability between chat services.

It is not yet known whether the feature will be extended to other countries in addition to the 27 countries that make up the European Union. It may depend on legislative initiatives in each country or region. Or perhaps large companies will find an economic advantage in the new model as an incentive to expand the new feature to new locations.

The WFD has identified the 6 "gatekeepers".

The EU's goal with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is to ensure greater competition and reduce the monopoly currently exercised by a few tech giants. Earlier this month, the EU revealed which gatekeepers would have to comply with the DMA's maximum obligations.

The six chosen to receive the maximum DMA categorization were precisely some of the largest tech companies, as well as the services they offer. Check out the list below (although it's not hard to predict which ones they are):

  • Alphabet: Google Inc. Calico, Google Ventures, Google Capital, Google X and Nest Labs.
  • Amazon: Prime Video, Amazon Music, Twitch, Audible, Amazon Studios, Whole Foods Market and Amazon Web Services.
  • Apple: macOS, iOS, Safari browser, iTunes, iLife, iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio, iMessage.
  • ByteDance: TikTok, Toutiao
  • Meta: Facebook (Facebook Messenger, Facebook Watch and Facebook Portal), Instagram, WhatsApp, Giphy, Mapillary and Threads
  • Microsoft: Windows, LinkedIn, Skype, Skype, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer browser, Xbox, Surface tablets, Microsoft Lumia smartphones

As you can see in the image below, the companies have organized themselves into social networks, brokerage, advertising, messaging services, video services, operating systems, browsers and search.

Companies organized on social networks
Companies organized on social networks

The European Commission has also clarified that there are four open investigations into future decisions to include other companies among the gatekeepers listed above. By March 2024, these companies and their respective services will have to adapt to the requirements of the WFD. In case of non-compliance with the new rule, a fine of up to 10% of the company's annual global revenue is foreseen.

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