Science

WhatsApp and Messenger to Enable Third-Party Messaging in EU

Sep 7, 2024 1 min read

Jump to Summary

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Messenger, has unveiled its plans to integrate third-party chats into these platforms for users in the European Union. This initiative aims to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which mandates interoperability between major messaging services. Users will have the option to merge messages from Messenger, WhatsApp, and other supported apps into a single inbox or keep them separate. Notifications will alert users when they can connect chats from newly supported third-party apps.

The integration will include features such as rich messaging, group creation, and support for voice and video calls. Meta has stated that third-party chats will support reactions, read receipts, direct replies, and typing indicators. By 2027, the company plans to introduce third-party video and voice calling capabilities. Meta has also committed to making the Signal Protocol available to partners upon request to ensure user privacy. This move represents a significant step in Meta's efforts to meet its obligations as a "digital gatekeeper" under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

#european-union

Summary

Other news in science

Montana Man Films Up-Close UFO Footage, Leaving Wife in Tears

A man from Choteau, Montana, has captured and shared footage of an unidentified flying object (UFO) on Reddit, sparking significant online interest. The video, recorded between 10:10 and 10:15 p.m., shows a blinking, rotating craft flying through the night sky. The incident left his wife visibly shaken

Unusual New Skincare Ingredient Promises Brighter, Firmer Skin

Scientists have discovered that molecules from fish gut bacteria can enhance skin appearance by providing anti-wrinkle and skin-brightening benefits. This research, published in ACS Omega, identified 22 molecules from the gut bacteria of red seabream and blackhead seabream, fish native to the western Pacific Ocean. The study evaluated these molecules&

Greenpeace Raises Concerns Over Microplastics in Hong Kong Wildlife

A recent study conducted by Greenpeace in collaboration with researchers from local and Taiwanese universities has found that microplastic particles are prevalent in the waste samples of Hong Kong wildlife. The study analyzed 100 faeces samples from seven different locations in 2022 and discovered that 85% of these samples contained

Elon Musk Aims for Uncrewed Mars Mission in 2 Years, Crewed Flights by 2028

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has announced that the company plans to launch its first uncrewed Starships to Mars within two years. These initial missions will assess the reliability of landing safely on the Martian surface. If these missions are successful, SpaceX intends to send the first crewed flights to