WhatsApp Begins Testing Cross-Platform Messaging : WhatsApp has started testing a new feature that may soon allow users to send messages to people on other messaging apps, including India’s homegrown platform Arattai. The feature, currently available only to select beta users in the European Union, is being developed to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires major tech platforms to support interoperability and reduce monopolistic control.
How the Feature Works
- WhatsApp is introducing a system that lets users send messages to people on third-party apps directly from WhatsApp.
- A WhatsApp user would not need to install or sign up for the other app (like Arattai) to chat with someone using it.
- The feature has first appeared in the EU beta version and currently works with only one external app: BirdyChat, according to WaBetaInfo.
This signals the beginning of a broader messaging network where apps communicate with each other — similar to how email works today.
Why This Matters for Arattai
Arattai’s founder Sridhar Vembu (Zoho) has long argued that messaging platforms should be open and interoperable, just like:
- UPI (unified payments)
- Email systems
- Mobile networks
He has criticized existing messaging apps for being “closed gardens.” Ironically, WhatsApp — the very platform seen as the most closed — might now be taking the first step toward the open messaging ecosystem Vembu has advocated.
However, for Arattai to connect directly with WhatsApp:
- It must apply for interoperability access
- It must match WhatsApp’s encryption standards
Arattai currently encrypts voice calls end-to-end, but not yet messages, which may slow its approval.
Role of the EU’s Digital Markets Act
The DMA forces large platforms like WhatsApp to:
- Open their messaging networks
- Prevent monopolistic locking
- Enable communication with other apps securely
This is why cross-platform messaging is currently being tested only in Europe.
Will This Feature Come to India?
There is no confirmation yet for an India rollout.
However, if India introduces similar interoperability regulations in the future, WhatsApp will likely enable the feature in the country — which could allow WhatsApp ↔ Arattai messaging seamlessly.
Bottom Line
WhatsApp’s cross-app messaging is still in early testing, but it represents a major potential shift in how messaging works globally. If expanded, users may no longer need to switch apps to talk to different contacts — one app could connect to them all.
