Regulators force WhatsApp to be interoperable with Signal, Telegram

John Perlman speaks to Tech Central Editor Duncan Mcleod about the useful changes coming to WhatsApp.

Listen below.

New European Union regulations are compelling Meta to make changes to WhatsApp.

By law, messaging apps must be interoperable. 

In reaction, Meta announced that it would open WhatsApp and Messenger to third-party apps such as Signal and Telegram. 

“WhatsApp is going to introduce a tab in the app that will allow you to communicate with users on other messaging apps, supposedly with end-to-end encryption enabled without needing to install those [third-party] apps on your device.”

- Duncan Mcleod, Editor – Tech Central 

The EU wants to discourage monopolies and drive competition within the tech sector.

Meta has not revealed if this feature will expand beyond EU users but it is likely, given its global footprint.

“The proof is really going to be in the pudding about how secure this is really going to be.”

- Duncan Mcleod, Editor – Tech Central 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.