WhatsApp working on chat interoperability feature to comply with new EU regulations

As one of the identified "gatekeepers" in the messaging market, WhatsApp aims to comply with the DMA's requirements by introducing third-party chats support.

The DMA mandates that large tech companies facilitate communication among users through various messaging apps. While the feature is currently in development for the Android app, the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.2.10.72 update reveals that this interoperability feature will soon be available on iOS as well.

The new section in WhatsApp will contain all incoming messages from third-party chats, enhancing user control and experience.

For instance, a user on Signal could send messages to a WhatsApp user without requiring a WhatsApp account. Users will have the flexibility to manually enable or opt-out of the interoperability service, ensuring they retain control over the feature.