The European Digital Markets Act (DMA) is designed to break down walled gardens and enforce messaging interoperability. As a designated gatekeeper, Meta—controlling WhatsApp and Messenger—must comply. However, its current proposal falls short, risking further entrenchment of its dominance rather than fostering genuine competition.
The Problem with Meta’s Interoperability Plan
Meta’s proposed approach relies on restrictive NDAs, proprietary APIs, and centralized control. This is not true interoperability—it is a closed system that forces third parties to operate within Meta’s terms, undermining the spirit of the DMA. Key issues include:
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Gatekeeper Agreements: Companies must sign NDAs to access interoperability details, creating artificial barriers. Managing these legal aspects increases costs for all parties involved.
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API-Based Control: APIs limit flexibility, can be modified unilaterally, do not scale for true federation, and have to maintained.
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User Tracking Risks: The approach involves compliance issues of tracking third-party users at Meta, as well as third-parties tracking Meta’s users.
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Scalability Issues: Maintaining separate API bridges for each provider is inefficient and prevents sustainable competition.
The Solution: XMPP Federation
Meta does not need to reinvent interoperability. The eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) is a proven, open standard that has powered global federated messaging for 25 years. XMPP enables direct server-to-server communication, removing the need for restrictive agreements and ensuring:
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Seamless Federation: connecting users across providers, just like email or phone networks.
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Decentralized Control: allowing each service provider to enforce its own policies.
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Enhanced Privacy: avoiding unnecessary data exposure.
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Scalability and Flexibility: ensuring long-term sustainability.
Meta Has Already Used XMPP—Why Not Now?
WhatsApp was built on an XMPP-based server, and Meta has previously supported XMPP in Facebook Messenger. The protocol is already battle-tested at scale. Furthermore, Meta is embracing federation for Threads with ActivityPub, proving that interoperability works when it serves Meta’s strategic interests.
If Threads can federate, so can WhatsApp and Messenger.
A Call to Action
We urge Meta to adopt XMPP for messaging interoperability. The XMPP Standards Foundation (XSF) is ready to collaborate, continue to evolve the protocol to meet modern needs, and ensure true compliance with the DMA. Let’s build an open, competitive messaging ecosystem—one that benefits both users and service providers.
It’s time for real interoperability. Let’s make it happen.
Ralph Meijer
Chair of the Board
On behalf of the XSF Board and Members
Further Reading
- Detailed Technical Briefing on the case for XMPP: why Meta must embrace true messaging interoperability.
