WhatsApp and Messenger in Europe are getting an upgrade.
New evidence shows Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon may be listening to your voice on your devices
To comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act, Meta offers WhatsApp and Messenger users the ability to connect with people using third-party messaging services, known as third-party chats.
The company said in a post published on September 6 that it has been collecting information and data from users over the past few months about the priorities for third-party chat.
Mix and match speed of light
“Therefore, we have built new notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger to inform users about third-party chats. We will alert users every time a new third-party messaging app becomes available,” the post reads. “We’ve also designed a simple onboarding process for users, where they can learn more about third-party chat and turn on the feature. Options include selecting the third-party app they want to receive messages from, and how they want to Manage their message inbox.
According to Meta’s post, users can choose whether they want third-party messages sent to a separate folder, the current inbox, or any type of combination. Meta also includes features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts. 2027 will include options to create groups, voice calls, and video calls.
“As discussed in more detail in our previous blog, setting up third-party chat is technically challenging, and protecting privacy and security is a shared responsibility,” the post reads. “We’ve made great progress, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
