Whatsapp is opening its doors to other messengers – what does it mean for you
Isolation is over: Messenger apps will soon be able to exchange messages with each other.
Will it soon be stronger thanks to the European Union? Whatsapp could benefit from the opening.
Photography: Zachary Shorer (Keystone)
Chances are good that the messenger chaos will end soon. Whatsapp wants to do them Opening up competition: Users will soon be able to exchange messages not only with each other, but also with people who use another app. This raises hope that we will soon be able to communicate with all our contacts through one app – and no longer be stuck because our mother can only be reached via iMessage, but our best friend only speaks via Telegram.
Whatsapp does not introduce this innovation voluntarily. This is a result of the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which forces major messaging services to open up. Apple also announced in November last year that it would support RCS in the Messages app starting in 2024. This standard was developed as a successor to SMS. Until now, there has only been a vague presence, but with Apple's announcement that will now change.
Better protection than SMS
A few days ago, WhatsApp announced details about the opening. Messages will be sent via apps using end-to-end encryption. This ensures better privacy protection than is usually the case when connecting between several providers: there is no standard encryption for email, SMS and also RCS that succeeds SMS.
Initially, it will only be possible to have conversations with two participants. Whatsapp also allows for the exchange of photos, videos, files and voice messages, but there are no group chats and calls at the moment, as it will take years to integrate them. He said Dick Brewer, one of the lead developers at Whatsapp, told Wired magazine. Chats with users of other messengers are displayed in a separate area of the inbox. Ultimately, users must agree to the integration of third-party services as this can also be a gateway to spam and fraudulent messages.
Another way for Meta to collect data?
This is not the only problem with this positive innovation. Users are at risk of compatibility issues, specifically: messages that are not received completely or correctly. It's also impossible to predict how many third-party apps will actually want to interact with WhatsApp.
Threema and Signal have already distanced themselves: these two reporters put the privacy of their users first, and fear that with WhatsApp connected, they will become involuntary data suppliers to WhatsApp's parent company Meta. Because while small chat app operators store as little information as possible about chats and users, Meta's thirst for data is notorious.
Who does this opening ultimately help? Through the Digital Markets Act, the EU aims to improve the competitive conditions of small service providers compared to large companies. In this case, there is a high probability that the opposite effect will occur and Meta will leave the field as the winner. There will be people who delete Whatsapp from their phones because they can now reach their friends and acquaintances there via an app that they like more. Conversely, the need for WhatsApp users to install third-party applications is reduced. Since Whatsapp has the largest user base ever, this effect will prevail.
Through the Digital Markets Act, the European Union wants to prepare itself for the digital age. In December 2020, EU Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and EU Commissioner Thierry Breton reported on the laws that have now entered into force.
Photo: Alexandros Michaelidis (Getty)
Safe alternatives from specialized
Threema and Signal would do well to keep their distance and focus on their strengths. And that's exactly what they're doing: Signal announced an innovation to improve privacy protections on Tuesday. The phone number, which was previously visible to all contacts, can now be hidden and can also be used to search for people. Connection requests are then processed via the username.
The Swiss Threema app also continues to rely on secure connectivity. Since last fall, the messenger has been supporting encrypted group calls with and without video in addition to text messages.
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