What is interoperability and how does it affect you?
WhatsApp the most used instant messaging application in Spain, will undergo its most significant transformation to date in a few weeks, which will mean a historic milestone in technology– Interoperability with other messaging applications.
This innovation will allow WhatsApp users to send and receive messages from other platforms without the need to leave the application.
This change is driven by the new Digital Markets Law (DMA) of the European Union which establishes new rules for tech giants in March. Thus, it redefines the boundaries between direct competitors and that takes place in the instant messaging space. In this way, technology giants must assume a series of obligations and prohibitions that guarantee fair competition in the digital sector.
With this new option, WhatsApp’s goal is to offer interoperability with third parties. In addition, it also searches preserve privacy, security and integrity since the applications will have to encrypt the content using the Signal protocol and then share it in XML files, as announced by Dick Brouwer, director of engineering at WhatsApp, in an interview with the ‘Wired’ media.
How will it work?
At first, the interoperability that will affect WhatsApp will be available in text and voice messages, images, videos and files. Over time it will also apply to group calls and chats.
Furthermore, it should be noted that interoperability will be optional. The engineer has insisted that users will be able to choose whether they want to use it or not.
In the event that users decide to activate this new feature, they will see messages from other applications at the top of the inbox under the heading “Third party chats“.
