According to Digital Trends, Meta is fundamentally changing WhatsApp by enabling cross-app messaging with third-party services starting with BirdyChat and Haiket. The update, rolling out over the coming months specifically in Europe, will support text, image, voice, video, and file exchanges between WhatsApp and these partner apps. Users will need to opt in through a new settings toggle and can choose whether to display these messages in a separate “Third-party chats” folder or their main inbox. Critically, Meta says end-to-end encryption will remain intact since partner apps must meet WhatsApp’s security standards. This move comes as direct compliance with Europe’s Digital Markets Act interoperability requirements.
Breaking the Walls
Here’s the thing: WhatsApp has always been a walled garden. You needed WhatsApp to talk to WhatsApp users, full stop. That’s been the model since Facebook acquired it back in 2014. Now? The walls are coming down, at least in Europe. And honestly, it’s about time.
Think about how many messaging apps you have on your phone right now. WhatsApp for some contacts, Signal for others, maybe Telegram for channels. It’s a mess. This interoperability could finally reduce that app overload. Smaller services like BirdyChat and Haiket suddenly become way more viable when their users can still reach WhatsApp’s billions.
Meta’s Strategy
So why is Meta doing this? They’re not exactly thrilled about it – this is compliance, not innovation. The Digital Markets Act forced their hand. But the way they’re implementing it is actually pretty smart.
Making it opt-in means most users won’t even see third-party chats unless they go looking. Keeping encryption requirements high means they’re not sacrificing their privacy branding. And rolling it out gradually with just two partners first? That’s classic controlled testing. They’re basically complying while minimizing disruption to their core experience.
What It Means For You
If you’re in Europe, this could genuinely make messaging less frustrating. No more downloading Yet Another App just because one friend prefers a different service. But there are catches.
Third-party chats might have slightly different privacy terms. The experience probably won’t be as seamless as native WhatsApp chats. And let’s be real – how many people will actually bother to opt in? Most users stick with defaults.
The bigger picture though? This could reshape messaging across the board. If interoperability works in Europe, pressure will build for similar rules elsewhere. We might finally be moving toward the universal messaging standard that’s been promised for years but never delivered.
