WhatsApp working on interoperability to comply with EU's Digital Markets Act

WhatsApp is in the process of adapting its software to comply with the newly agreed upon European Union Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA, a significant competition reform, enforces strict regulations on large tech companies, requiring them to offer interoperability, i.e., the ability for users to communicate across different apps.

Being a large tech platform with an extensive user base, WhatsApp falls within the DMA's criteria and is considered a gatekeeper service. The latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.19.8, available on the Google Play Store, indicates the company's efforts to align with these new regulations.

The beta version reveals a new section dedicated to the DMA regulations. However, this section is currently under development, appearing empty and inaccessible to users. Its presence, nonetheless, confirms WhatsApp's ongoing work to meet the DMA requirements.

WhatsApp has a 6-month window to adjust its app in accordance with the European regulations. It is yet to be established whether this interoperability service will extend beyond the European Union.

The interoperability feature will enable users of other apps to communicate with WhatsApp users, even without a WhatsApp account. This means a user of an app like Signal could send a message to a WhatsApp user, bypassing the need for a WhatsApp account.