Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly engaged on bringing third-party chat assist on Android with the intention to adjust to the brand new European Union (EU) rules. The brand new characteristic will provide customers the power to speak with one another utilizing totally different apps, based on WABetaInfo. As an illustration, somebody from the Sign app may ship a message to a WhatsApp person, even and not using a WhatsApp account. The characteristic comes simply days after the European Fee confirmed that Meta matches the definition of a “gatekeeper” below the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that communication software program like WhatsApp permit interoperability with third-party messaging apps by March 2024.
In keeping with the report, the characteristic continues to be in growth and isn’t prepared but because it seems empty and never accessible to customers. Nevertheless, the screenshot shared within the report suggests there will likely be a separate part within the app the place all of the chats from different apps like Telegram and Sign will seem. The report mentioned that WhatsApp has a six-month interval to align the app with the brand new rules to supply its interoperability service within the European Union. Nevertheless, it stays unclear whether or not this characteristic may also ultimately lengthen to nations past the EU.
Upcoming WhatsApp options
In the meantime, WhatsApp is reportedly engaged on a brand new characteristic — “filter teams chat” on Android, to supply customers with higher management over their conversations, making it simpler to handle and prioritise their messages. The brand new characteristic will permit customers to get a listing of their teams by excluding particular person chats. Customers may also discover that the “Private” filter has been renamed “Contacts” to raised distinguish between particular person and group chats, because the “Private” filter beforehand included teams and communities. The brand new “Contacts” filter, alternatively, will solely embrace particular person conversations.
WhatsApp can also be reportedly testing a multi-account characteristic, which is able to let customers add a couple of account to the identical app. At present out there in beta, the characteristic allows you to use a couple of account related to totally different cellphone numbers in the identical app, minimising the necessity to create a clone of the app on supported telephones or carry one cellphone per WhatsApp account.
— Written with inputs from IANS
