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The EU just designated Whatsapp as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_... following the "full list of do's and don'ts" link on that page:

> Gatekeeper platforms will have to:

> - allow third parties to inter-operate with the gatekeeper’s own services in certain specific situations

> - allow their business users to access the data that they generate in their use of the gatekeeper’s platform




This is likely also the sole reason[1] that Meta is considering connecting Threads to the fediverse.

[1] https://yiffit.net/comment/498225


There's a fair amount of silly legislation that gets passed in the EU, but forward-thinking (or maybe just here-thinking?) laws like these (and the GDPR!) make me glad I live here.


Yeah this is exactly what’s needed. At least in EU the driver is awake at the wheel. As the politicians slowly get more technically competent we’re seeing more effective regulation. As long as EU has influence, everyone else will also benefit since companies often stop doing the shitty thing globally, not just in the EU.

Lack of interop has been a huge problem that’s also gotten worse over time. To address such a broad and complex issue with general legislation is not easy, we still have to wait and see if it works as intended.



Yes, those are the silly bits, sadly.


I'm aware of DMAs regs but it forces Whatsapp within 6 months to start enabling interoperability. However it doesn't provide protection for these existing bridge projects.

open-wa, Baileys, invidious devs are all in the dark as to whether or not they're Scott free from their respective C&Ds due to this legislation.




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