Soon, the functioning of robust messengers like WhatsApp, Messenger and iMessage should change in the European Union. That’s because the bloc reached a prior agreement on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which will tighten the siege against technology giants.
One of the main measures will be precisely to require that popular messaging applications offer interoperability with smaller platforms. In this basket would be giants such as Meta or Apple messengers, as well as any other app with at least 45 million monthly active users and 10,000 active corporate customers annually in Europe.
Anyone who does not comply with the interoperability requirement may be fined up to 10% of global annual revenue or 20% of the same amount in the event of a repeat offence.
“During a nearly eight-hour trialogue, EU lawmakers agreed that major messaging services (such as Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or iMessage) will have to open up and interoperate with smaller messaging platforms if they so request,” the statement said. of EU press.
Although the functionality of the law is still confusing, the idea suggests that users of platforms – whether large or small – can “exchange messages, send files or make video calls” between applications, expanding the range of options for users.
What Apple and WhatsApp Say
As exciting as it sounds, the project brings new security risks. By becoming interoperable with smaller apps, Apple and Meta would have to open up their messenger ecosystem. The main challenge, however, would be to maintain encryption security in the midst of this whole process.
To the The Verge, an Apple spokesperson stated that big tech is “concerned that some DMA provisions create unnecessary privacy and security vulnerabilities” for users. Still, the company said it will work with stakeholders in Europe to mitigate these threats.
Will Cathcart, WhatsApp’s director, expected the law to be “extremely thoughtful”. “Interoperability can bring benefits, but if not done carefully, it can lead to a tragic undermining of security and privacy in Europe,” he tweeted.
Other measures included in the package
It is worth mentioning that the interoperability of messengers is just one of the measures foreseen in the DMA to fight against the dominance of big techs in Europe. Other measures address restrictions on combining personal data from multiple sources, allowing users to download and install apps from third-party platforms, as well as banning companies from bundling services.
Not least, it should be noted that the Digital Markets Law has not yet been passed. When finalized, it will have to receive the approval of the Parliament and Council of the European Union. If the process goes as expected, the DMA should go into effect “sometime in October”.
The big techs get ready.
Via: Wccftech
