WhatsApp, the most popular instant messaging app, is not free from the tentacles of DMA, European regulations coming into force. The Meta-owned service has been preparing for this big change since last year, which should open it up to chats from third-party applications such as Telegram.

That’s why this month will change forever. However, for users to benefit from this advantage, developers need to make this functionality fully ready. They have been doing this for a while and are giving us hints on how it will work: These “external” chats can be seen in a special section. Now, New beta of WhatsApp for Android provides more detail.

A beta that shows us the third-party chat screen

This is nothing new about the Digital Markets Act, better known by its acronym DMA (Digital Markets Act, English). It has been shaking the foundations of the industry for some time, even secretly causing Apple to open its operating system to alternative app stores. Set as ‘ on WhatsAppguard‘ (a condition that obliges oneself to comply with this law) they need to be open to chats from other apps and services.

This historical regulation will come into force on March 6, that is, this Wednesday. WhatsApp interoperability With other messaging apps like Signal or Telegram. This weekend WABetaInfo discovered more details about the change, thanks to two beta updates to WhatsApp for Android.

In versions 2.24.5.20 and 2.24.6.2, there are clear indications of how the application will enable messages from external services. First of all, we see chat information screen where third-party applications that are still under development will appear. Although in the screenshot, Instagram has confirmed that the private website itself is not classified as a third-party app.

Image from WABetaInfo

On the other hand, beta 2.24.6.2 gives us a summary of how we can manage third-party chats in the Meta application, after what we first mentioned. Seems like, This function can be disabledand we will have a complete list of applications that have access to third-party chats.

While Meta develops the Android version of WhatsApp, Apple phones will also get this feature. It’s actually something that needs to happen very close to launch if they want to avoid problems, may be close.

According to WhatsApp’s latest announcement, this interoperability functionality will only be available in Europe, so if you’re outside, everything will continue to work as before. Of course, these third-party chats will not have the same features: we know that group chats cannot be openedas well as making video calls or voice calls. But they may come in future updates after the big change.

via | Android Police

Cover image | Microsoft Designer Image Builder

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