Meta Corporation, which is designated as extremist and banned in Russia, has introduced a beta version of its WhatsApp application. The test build includes a new capability that enables users to communicate with individuals who use other instant messaging services. This development was reported by WABetaInfo (WBI).
The feature is named Third Party Chats. It is designed to let WhatsApp users start conversations with contacts on other messaging platforms within the app interface itself.
Earlier, the iOS client already gained support for Telegram and Discord with beta version 24.2.10.72. With that update, users could engage in dialogues on WhatsApp with people who rely on Viber, iMessage, Sigma, and several additional services in a single chat session.
Industry observers note that Meta is implementing cross platform messaging capabilities as part of aligning WhatsApp with a new set of rules in the European Union. The Digital Markets Act imposes obligations on major internet communication platforms to remove barriers to use and to facilitate cross service interaction. Cross platform messaging is cited as one of the key requirements under these regulations.
At this stage, there is no official release date for when cross platform chat support will appear in the consumer version of WhatsApp. WBI analysts expect the feature to reach general availability before the end of 2024, though timing remains uncertain.
There have been recent discussions within the Russian legislative environment about potential changes to emoji usage and symbols in digital communication, including proposals to replace certain emoji representations with politically themed icons. These conversations reflect broader debates about online expression and semantic clarity in messaging platforms.