WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, is making progress towards enabling cross-platform communication, as evidenced by the latest features discovered in its beta update for Android.
While the ability to directly message users on other platforms like Telegram or Signal isn’t live yet, WhatsApp is laying the groundwork for a future where such interaction is possible. The latest beta, version 2.24.6.2, reveals the company’s development of a “Manage Third-Party Chats” feature.
This feature caters to two crucial aspects: user control and EU regulatory compliance
Firstly, the feature empowers users with the ability to disable the chat interoperability service entirely. This aligns with Article 7 of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which emphasizes user control over data sharing and communication preferences. This option allows users who aren’t interested in cross-platform messaging to completely opt-out.
Secondly, the feature offers granular control over which third-party apps can interact with WhatsApp. This fosters user autonomy and enables them to curate their communication experience. Users can choose to integrate only with trusted messaging services, tailoring their level of interconnectivity.
This ability to selectively manage third-party app access is particularly advantageous. Users can avoid unwanted communication from unfamiliar platforms while maintaining connections with desired services. Additionally, disabling the entire service provides a clear exit strategy for users who change their minds about cross-platform messaging.
It’s important to note that disabling the service comes with limitations. Existing third-party chats will transition to a read-only mode, meaning users can’t send or receive new messages within those conversations. However, these chats remain accessible within WhatsApp and can be deleted at the user’s discretion.
While the “Manage Third-Party Chats” feature is currently under development, it paves the way for a more interconnected future for WhatsApp users. This development comes amidst the company’s efforts to comply with the EU’s DMA regulations and cater to evolving user preferences in the realm of cross-platform communication. With further details expected in future updates, this feature is poised to significantly impact how users interact and manage their messaging experience on WhatsApp.
Additionally, WhatsApp is actively testing new features in recent betas. One of the features being tested is the introduction of a secret code for locked chats for WhatsApp Web, aimed at improving privacy and security. Additionally, they are experimenting with a new design for the status tab in the latest beta version.
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(Via)
