Meta Explains The Concept Of Development Of Third Party Chat Features On WhatsApp And Messenger

JAKARTA The Digital Markets Act (DMA) will take effect in the European Union (EU) on Thursday, March 7. When this rule takes effect, Meta must provide interoperability support on WhatsApp and Messenger.

Interoperability is a system that allows third-party applications to operate. When this system is implemented, WhatsApp and Messenger will be connected to other messaging applications such as Telegram, Line, and many more.

Meta reveals that they have been building an interoperability system for two years. Once the feature is launched, this third-party chat will focus on sending messages, images, voice messages, videos, and attachments.

Functionality of this feature will be maintained for a year. After that, Meta will develop a function of the interoperability feature by adding other features such as calls and groups between app users.

As long as this interoperability service is presented, third-party application providers will sign agreements with WhatsApp and Messenger. Meta also released a Reference Offer for messaging application developers who are interested in joining the feature.

"We will issue a WhatsApp Reference Offer for third-party providers that will explain what is needed to interact with this service. Reference Offers for Messenger will follow in due course," Meta explained via the Engineer's page.

Meta says that this service will keep the security system rolling out since 2016 on WhatsApp, namely end-to-end encryption (E2EE). WhatsApp and Messenger will use the Signal Protocol as a basis for E2EE encryption.

Actually, Meta wants to present a third-party application that also uses the Signal Protocol. However, because the DMA rules should not limit developers, Meta decided to allow any protocols that are safe.

"We will allow third-party providers to use compatible protocols if they can show that the protocol offers the same security guarantee as Signal," Meta said.

One thing that Meta emphasizes is the unequal form of security among apps. The company said that, "We cannot guarantee what third-party providers do to messages sent or received."