The EU has long been concerned about the power of Big Tech, and the decision that WhatsApp must be compatible with rivals such as Telegram is an example of policies that aim to increase competition in the sector.
In reality, the future Digital Markets Act of the European Union will force large messaging platforms to be interoperable with small ones . For example, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger will have to be compatible with rivals such as Telegram, Signal or Line if the latter request it.
We recently learned that the United States Senate wants to reduce the power of mobile app stores through the Open App Markets Act, and this European Union initiative also seeks to limit the dominance of Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon.
Unfortunately, for now a provisional agreement has been signed without many details. We know that if a small company like Telegram asks for it, WhatsApp will have to give it access to its platform. On the other hand, it has not been specified whether this is applied among the big technology companies, which would mean talking to WhatsApp users from Apple’s iMessage, for example.
The combination of personal data to display advertisements is also limited , something common in social networks when creating profiles of each Internet user. It mainly affects Meta, owner of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, which has become accustomed to sharing a lot of data with advertisers.
On the other hand, consumers will be free to choose the search engine, browser and voice assistant of their system , so the one chosen by the manufacturer cannot be imposed by default. It will have to be how it is applied, and if we have unexpected options such as using Alexa as the default assistant on the iPhone.
Unfortunately, for now nothing has been finalized about the app stores on Android and iOS, perhaps the feature that has received the most accusations of giving Google and Apple an abusive position in the market.
The Open App Markets Act will apply to large companies, which are worth at least 75,000 million euros on the stock market or have 7,500 million annual profits, and serve at least 45 million people per month in Europe.
The future law provides for fines of up to 10% of the worldwide benefit in the year prior to the violation and up to 20% if it occurs again.
The idea of sending a message to Telegram contacts from WhatsApp is interesting , although the European Union aspires to much more with this law. Hopefully it will lead to more competition and real benefits for consumers.
