WhatsApp opens interoperable chats with BirdyChat and Haiket in the EU

WhatsApp will soon support interoperability with third‑party messaging apps in the European Union. Meta says BirdyChat and Haiket are the first services to be integrated, allowing users to send messages, images, voice notes, videos and files between the platforms once the feature rolls out across Europe.

The move implements requirements from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that large messaging platforms provide technical interfaces so users can reach contacts on other services. Meta has been testing small integrations since 2023 and will expand support to more partners over time.

How it will work

• Users will be able to exchange texts, media and attachments between WhatsApp and participating third‑party apps on Android and iOS.
• Third‑party services must support the same level of end‑to‑end encryption as WhatsApp under DMA rules.
• WhatsApp will notify users via the Settings tab when BirdyChat and Haiket support becomes available. The feature is optional — users can opt in or disable it at any time.
• Group chat interoperability and other cross‑platform capabilities are planned but won’t be available at launch; they’ll arrive later as partners add support.

Security, privacy and moderation questions

End‑to‑end encryption is central to WhatsApp’s privacy promise, and Meta says partner apps must match that standard. Still, interoperability raises practical questions about metadata handling, spam control, abuse reporting and how blocking or moderation will work across different systems.

For users, the opt‑in model gives control, but experts and regulators will likely monitor how encryption, identity verification, and safety features are enforced across disparate apps.

Why this matters

The DMA aims to reduce platform lock‑in and increase user choice. If implemented well, cross‑app messaging could simplify communication by letting people keep their preferred app while still reaching friends on other networks.

However, building secure, user‑friendly interoperability is technically and politically complex — balancing encryption, abuse prevention and a consistent user experience across multiple services.

What to watch next

• Exact rollout schedule and which countries in the EU will see the update first.
• Technical documentation from Meta about the interoperability API and encryption guarantees.
• How BirdyChat, Haiket and future partners implement group chats, voice/video calls and moderation features across platforms.

For background on the regulation driving these changes, see the EU Digital Markets Act (opens in a new tab): digital-markets-act.europa.eu. For WhatsApp’s official site (opens in a new tab): whatsapp.com.

Discussion: Would cross‑app messaging make your life easier, or do privacy and moderation concerns give you pause? What assurances (e.g., preserved E2EE, consistent blocking/reporting) would you need before enabling third‑party chats?