Meta Announces Next Steps for EU Messaging Interoperability

Meta has announced the next steps in its third party messaging integration process for EU users, which will enable users of Messenger and WhatsApp to import chats from other apps.

Back in March, Meta outlined how it was looking to facilitate messaging interoperability, in line with new EU regulations. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), large messaging providers are now required to enable messaging interoperability, to ensure that they don’t unfairly force out smaller players.

And now, Meta’s moving to the next stage, with updated parameters and UI to bring third party messages into its apps.

First off, Meta’s making the option to connect with people using other apps easier to find, with clear indicators in-stream.

As you can see in this example, Meta’s adding new notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger that will inform users about third-party chats. Meta says that it will also prompt users anytime a new third-party messaging app becomes available. 

Meta’s also added new explainers about third party chats, and how they work, and how people can activate this option.

Meta’s also added a new option that will keep messages from third party providers separate from your main chats.

As per Meta:

“We believe that many users would like to keep third-party chats separate from their current inbox, while others may wish to combine all chats in a single inbox.  To provide users with choice, we offer the option to either have third-party messages delivered into a separate folder, or users can decide on a combined inbox that shows all messages in the same place.”

That could help to reduce potential spam risks via third party connections, while also enabling Meta to maintain a level of priority for its own in-app messages, even if it is an optional one.

Finally, Meta’s also incorporated rich messaging features into its imported DMs, including reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts. Meta says that it will also include the option to create groups from next year, and voice and video calling by 2027.

The main thing missing from this update, however, is encryption, and implementing full encryption by default for imported chats. Not all of the approved third party providers utilize E2EE protection, and with Meta looking to make encryption the default for all of its messaging apps, this remains a challenge that needs to be addressed.

Because in among the various new EU requirements are provisions that make it a legal requirement that Meta doesn’t weaken the security provided to its users. That could get confusing when importing chats, while it’s also not an easy problem to solve, as it requires action from other providers.

Maybe, then, ensuring that your Meta and third party chats remain separate will have an additional use, in delineating which chats are secure, and which may not be.

Either way, it’s another advance for Meta’s messaging tools, which are also still in the process of being fully integrated across its own apps.