WhatsApp is a private and secure messaging app, just like iMessage. Soon, these two apps may well be able to communicate with each other. In fact, in the European Union, the two digital giants are going to make their services interoperable. If you want to learn more about WhatsApp, such as how to read a deleted message, you can read our article on: how to read a deleted message on WhatsApp
GAFAM's obligations
GAFAM are obliged to make messaging services inter-compatible. Indeed, the DMA or Digital Markets Act is a law that includes several rules on digital. This means that certain services in the sector will be subject to stricter competition rules. To identify these services, there are two criteria:
- More than 45 million monthly active users
- A market capitalization of 75 billion euros.
This law was passed in November and came into force in May. We were waiting for the European Commission to announce the services concerned before applying the law. 22 GAFAM services are designated as holding the keys to the internet and digital, plus a few newcomers from the East, namely :
- Alphabet or Google
- Amazon
- Meta or Facebook
- Apple
- Microsoft
- ByteDance, the owner of TikTok.
A 6-month deadline for companies
WhatsApp, iMessage, and Messenger are set to become interoperable apps. More specifically, GAFAM members are expected to make their messaging apps interoperable with those of their competitors. The aim is to let users decide which apps to pre-install on their devices. Companies have six months to comply with this law to avoid paying hefty fines. In a few months, it will be possible to send an iMessage to WhatsApp or via Messenger. Discover the new options offered by WhatsApp here. whatsapp new option to disable video messages
In short, this measure puts an end to ecosystems. However, Apple is not happy about this change. According to the firm's spokesperson, the company is very concerned about the risks that DMA poses to users' privacy and data security. On the other hand, this decision is entirely understandable, as it's clear that European countries want to ban end-to-end encryption from WhatsApp and iMessage.
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