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Apple won't be forced to open iMessage to rivals :
techcrunch.com/202…ok/
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Posted 14 February 2024
WhatsApp to bring in ground breaking new feature
Can't wait forbes.com/sit…re/
March 2 update. There’s more from WABetaInfo on the upcoming change. First, it said, “WhatsApp is in the process of developing a chat info screen dedicated to third-party chats for a future update. Since profile names and photos are unavailable in third-party chats, WhatsApp will instead display the default profile photo and the third-party app name from which the chat originated."
also mentions that third-party chats won’t be the same as regular chats from within WhatsApp. There will be limitations to some features. “Specifically, group chats involving third-party apps are not supported at the moment, meaning users cannot engage in group conversations that involve these external platforms. In addition, making calls with third-party apps isn’t supported either. Initially, communication with third-party chats may be restricted to text messages, but it’s worth mentioning that as WhatsApp continues to develop its integration with third-party apps, more features may be supported in the future. In addition, it is very important to note that this feature is optional as users will need to manually activate the interoperability service if they wish to use it.” WABetaInfo has previously said that users also have, “the ability to opt out if they choose, as highlighted in Article 7 of the regulations.”
March 2 update. There’s more from WABetaInfo on the upcoming change. First, it said, “WhatsApp is in the process of developing a chat info screen dedicated to third-party chats for a future update. Since profile names and photos are unavailable in third-party chats, WhatsApp will instead display the default profile photo and the third-party app name from which the chat originated."
also mentions that third-party chats won’t be the same as regular chats from within WhatsApp. There will be limitations to some features. “Specifically, group chats involving third-party apps are not supported at the moment, meaning users cannot engage in group conversations that involve these external platforms. In addition, making calls with third-party apps isn’t supported either. Initially, communication with third-party chats may be restricted to text messages, but it’s worth mentioning that as WhatsApp continues to develop its integration with third-party apps, more features may be supported in the future. In addition, it is very important to note that this feature is optional as users will need to manually activate the interoperability service if they wish to use it.” WABetaInfo has previously said that users also have, “the ability to opt out if they choose, as highlighted in Article 7 of the regulations.”
Community Updates
Here is a summary of the web page:
- WhatsApp’s new feature: The article discusses how WhatsApp is about to change by allowing users to send and receive messages from other messaging apps, such as Signal, Telegram, or iMessage.
- EU regulation: The article explains that this change is partly driven by the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which requires Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, to open up its services to others by March 2024.
- Security and privacy: The article mentions that the change will not compromise the end-to-end encryption that WhatsApp uses, and that users will have to opt in to exchange messages with third parties. The article also notes that different encryption protocols may pose some challenges for interoperability.
- Username feature: The article updates that WhatsApp is also working on introducing usernames, which will allow users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. The article details the validation process and the benefits of this feature.
WhatsApp is about to change. The change will be big and far-reaching, allowing users to send messages from other messaging apps and see them land in your WhatsApp.
As reported by the estimable Matt Burgess at Wired, WhatsApp has only partly been cajoled into this move, having been working on opening things up for around two years.
If you’re like me, you spend more time than you’d like trying to remember if that important message came via iMessage, WhatsApp or Messenger, say. The new system is meant to overcome this annoying circumstance by allowing people to message you at WhatsApp from another app.
The change will mean those other apps can attach themselves to WhatsApp to allow people to chat across apps without denigrating the end-to-end encryption that’s in place.
This interoperability will start with text messages, images, voice messages, videos and file transfer. Calls and group chats will come later, perhaps as much as years afterwards.
Wired quotes Dick Brouwer, an engineering director at WhatsApp, who points out that a core requirement is that users opt in. “I can choose whether or not I want to participate in being open to exchanging messages with third parties,” Brouwer explains. “This is important, because it could be a big source of spam and scams.”
If you do opt in, you’ll see messages from other apps in a separate section that will appear at the top of the inbox, because “these networks are very different,” Brouwer says.
As reported by the estimable Matt Burgess at Wired, WhatsApp has only partly been cajoled into this move, having been working on opening things up for around two years.
If you’re like me, you spend more time than you’d like trying to remember if that important message came via iMessage, WhatsApp or Messenger, say. The new system is meant to overcome this annoying circumstance by allowing people to message you at WhatsApp from another app.
The change will mean those other apps can attach themselves to WhatsApp to allow people to chat across apps without denigrating the end-to-end encryption that’s in place.
This interoperability will start with text messages, images, voice messages, videos and file transfer. Calls and group chats will come later, perhaps as much as years afterwards.
Wired quotes Dick Brouwer, an engineering director at WhatsApp, who points out that a core requirement is that users opt in. “I can choose whether or not I want to participate in being open to exchanging messages with third parties,” Brouwer explains. “This is important, because it could be a big source of spam and scams.”
If you do opt in, you’ll see messages from other apps in a separate section that will appear at the top of the inbox, because “these networks are very different,” Brouwer says.
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So a damp squib after all.
How about the facility to prevent MPs etc from deleting their conversations?- AuthorThanks for the Community Updates and Makes the discussion worthwhile.
Why didn’t the EU stop Facebook from cornering the instant messaging market?
Have they really cornered it? There are multiple options available and thriving, like Telegram and Signal.- A new means of travel at light speed might be 'ground breaking'
This isn't, unless you're 10 years old and easily pleased 
More rubbishAuthorDon't read it- And the beat goes on