WhatsApp is gearing up to follow a new European law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to promote competition in the tech world. One of the challenges it addresses is the fact that most of us use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or iMessage because that’s where our friends and family are. So, if a new and fantastic messaging app comes along, it often struggles to get off the ground.
To tackle this, the DMA requires big tech companies, especially those dominating their fields, to make it easier for smaller startups to compete. For messaging apps, this means they must enable “messaging interoperability.” In simpler terms, you should be able to send messages from, say, WhatsApp to someone using Facebook Messenger without any issues.
WhatsApp is already taking steps to comply with this law. They’ve revealed a sneak peek of their plans through a feature called “Third-Party Chats.” While it’s still under development and not accessible to users, it shows that WhatsApp is getting ready for messaging interoperability. The good news is that end-to-end encryption, which ensures your messages remain private, will still be in place even when you chat with users on competing apps.
Do you realize that Qualcomm and Apple have joined forces in a groundbreaking technological alliance? Qualcomm, the industry leader in modem processors that keep our phones connected to the internet, has recently signed a contract with Apple:
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Apple, known for its iMessage app, has been a bit resistant to these new rules. They claim that iMessage doesn’t have enough European users to be subject to the law. This might sound surprising, given the popularity of iPhones, but they argue that most Europeans prefer WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which work on both iOS and Android devices.
The European Union is currently looking into Apple’s claim. They’re asking Apple to provide usage statistics, though it’s uncertain whether these will be made public. However, it’s worth noting that Apple will still need to comply with other aspects of the DMA, like allowing third-party app stores.
So, in a nutshell, WhatsApp is getting ready to let you chat more easily with folks on other messaging apps, while Apple is in a bit of a debate with the EU about whether iMessage should follow the same rules. It’s all about making the tech world fairer and more competitive.
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