Meta Will Let Third-Party Apps Place Calls To WhatsApp, Messenger Users (techcrunch.com) 10
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Meta on Friday published an update on how it plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European law that aims to promote competition in digital marketplaces, where the law concerns the company's messaging apps, Messenger and WhatsApp. As Meta notes in a blog post, the DMA requires that it provide an option in WhatsApp and Messenger to connect with interoperable third-party messaging services and apps. Meta says it's building notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger to inform users about these third-party integrations and alert them when a newly compatible third-party messaging app comes online. The company also says it's introducing an onboarding flow in WhatsApp and Messenger where users can learn more about third-party chats and switch them on. From the flow, users will be able to set up a designated folder for third-party messages or, alternatively, opt for a combined inbox.
In 2025, Meta will roll out group functionality for third-party chats, and, in 2027, it'll launch voice and video calling in accordance with the DMA. And at some unspecified point in the future, Meta will bring "rich messaging" features for third-party chats to WhatsApp and Messenger, like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators and read receipts, the company says. "We will keep collaborating with third-party messaging services in order to provide the safest and best experience," Meta wrote in the post. "Users will start to see the third-party chat option when a third-party messaging service has built, tested and launched the necessary technology to make the feature a positive and secure user experience."
In 2025, Meta will roll out group functionality for third-party chats, and, in 2027, it'll launch voice and video calling in accordance with the DMA. And at some unspecified point in the future, Meta will bring "rich messaging" features for third-party chats to WhatsApp and Messenger, like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators and read receipts, the company says. "We will keep collaborating with third-party messaging services in order to provide the safest and best experience," Meta wrote in the post. "Users will start to see the third-party chat option when a third-party messaging service has built, tested and launched the necessary technology to make the feature a positive and secure user experience."
How about an honest headline? (Score:4, Interesting)
Meta Sells WhatsApp User-Base to Spam Cartels
Re: (Score:1)
lolwut.
You really have no idea what you are talking about.
He demonstrates he can't read and YOU got dm'ed? (Score:1)
That's just harsh. Welcome to /.
A brave new age of spam calls. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Thanks WhatsApp.
Exactly. One advantage of Whatsapp was only people you let in could call you. We use it for business calls amongst our team, and i also use it for family in Europe. I hope we can block non contacts from calling and not have to play Whack a Mole from spammers; as TFA implies and we can turn it off.
It's Jabber/XMPP just in reverse (Score:3)
We had a universal chat standard, XMPP (aka Jabber) for a long time which supported cross network chat etc, sounds like we're just reinventing the wheel again
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMPP
What do you mean had? (Score:2)
Lots of application still support federated XMPP. I use one everyday.
In fact Whatsapp is just a rip off of XMPP that greedy corporate bungholes closed off.
Already starting to get WhatsApp spam calls (Score:2)
And spam invitations to WhatsApp groups.
This will not be good for most of us.
Re: (Score:2)
You can block others from inviting you to WhatsApp groups and channels. It's an option in the settings. You can allow everyone, allow only your contacts, allow your contacts except for a selection, or block everyone.