WhatsApp before the end? New EU rule makes life difficult for Messenger

WhatsApp is the undisputed number 1 among messengers – at least for now. Because a new EU rule could have unpleasant consequences for the top dog. For smartphone users, on the other hand, it means more freedom of choice.

“But this time really!” – after every smaller or larger WhatsApp scandal, one firmly resolves to turn one’s back on the messenger. After a few days, however, the attempt usually fails miserably. All too often, family and friends don’t go with them. And alone on Threema, Signal and Co. it’s not fun after all. The EU now wants to solve this problem with new rules.

EU forces WhatsApp to open

The EU Parliament recently passed the so-called Digital Markets Act Messengers like WhatsApp are obliged to open up to others (Source: ZDF). In plain language, this means: In the future, too Threema, Signal or other messenger users will be able to send messages to WhatsApp users.

“For the first time, users have a real choice of which messenger to use. Alternative messengers get the chance to compete with the top dog WhatsApp,” commented MEP Patrick Breyer on the new law.

It doesn’t always have to be WhatsApp, other messengers also have a lot to offer:

Transitional periods of two to four years

However, it will be some time before the new freedom of choice for smartphone users becomes part of everyday life. One applies to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which is also affected Transitional period of two years. It takes even longer for WhatsApp group chats, where the EU parliamentarians are planning a transitional period of four years.

Nevertheless: In the future, the messenger change will be much easier, because a WhatsApp farewell is then no longer synonymous with radio silence to family and friends. Then WhatsApp has to convince with new functions and can no longer rely on the lock-in effect.