New EU law could require iMessage and WhatsApp to work with other, smaller platforms

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

If the Digital Markets Act is passed, it could require messaging app developers to make their apps work together. According to the EU press release, lawmakers agreed that the companies behind the messaging platforms would have to make their apps compatible with smaller messaging platforms.

The relevant part of the EU's statement is here.

During a close to 8-hour long trilogue (three-way talks between Parliament, Council and Commission), EU lawmakers agreed that the largest messaging services (such as Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or iMessage) will have to open up and interoperate with smaller messaging platforms, if they so request. Users of small or big platforms would then be able to exchange messages, send files or make video calls across messaging apps, thus giving them more choice. As regards interoperability obligation for social networks, co-legislators agreed that such interoperability provisions will be assessed in the future.

The language the EU is referring to could force companies like Apple and Meta to open up systems that they previously controlled completely. You can only use the Apple iMessage app to send iMessages. The EU wants Apple to allow other messaging apps to interface with iMessage, meaning you could have a conversation between an iMessage user on an iPhone, and a Telegram user on a Windows PC. The big apps would have to work together, but the language in the press release is not clear. The EU says it is trying to knock down the walls around gardens without overregulating small businesses.

The EU hasn't given companies much time to create this kind of interoperability, even though it might seem complex from a technological standpoint. The Digital Markets Act will be approved by the EU Parliament and Council in six months.

Companies keep their messaging systems closed because they can, not because it's impossible to make them work together. Apple pitched a more open version of iMessage to carriers many years ago, and Meta has integrated some of its messaging systems together already. Steve Jobs was the one who pitched the idea of open source. It seems that Apple has changed its tune in recent years, as internal communications suggest that Apple didn't bring iMessage to Android so people would keep buying iPhones. There has been a reason to stay closed.

If the EU's proposal passes, there will be an extremely pressing business reason to comply with its orders to open up. The EU states in its press release that it can fine a company up to 10 percent of its global revenue. The Commission can prevent the company from making acquisitions if it is found to be breaking the rules.

Fred Sainz, an Apple spokesman, said in a statement to The Verge.

We remain concerned that some provisions of the DMA will create unnecessary privacy and security vulnerabilities for our users while others will prohibit us from charging for intellectual property in which we invest a great deal. We believe deeply in competition and in creating thriving competitive markets around the world, and we will continue to work with stakeholders throughout Europe in the hopes of mitigating these vulnerabilities.

Meta didn't respond to the request for comment.

The main article about the Digital Markets Act can be found here.