The beginning of the end of WhatsApp: It's preparing for a historic change that will make you stop using the app.

The fact that WhatsApp has billions of registered users is no coincidence, nor is it the best instant messaging app (that depends on each person's preferences). The key, until now, was that everyone had it so they could talk to each other.

The Meta app became a free and easy-to-use option, and through word of mouth, users began installing it on their devices to the point where it almost became the norm. But from norm to norm, it has quickly become a monopoly, or at least that's what the European Union believes, as it has almost completely swallowed up the messaging app market.

While there are other widely used alternatives like Telegram or Apple Messages, they are complementary to WhatsApp, because otherwise , you can't communicate with most people (who only have WhatsApp). For this reason, the EU forced WhatsApp to open up to third-party apps, meaning it can allow other people from other apps to send messages that reach your WhatsApp account.

This is basically the same system that allows you to send an email from your Microsoft Outlook account to your Google Gmail account , but until now, Mark Zuckerberg's company did not have a system that accepted this.

However, as reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing a tool so that users can connect with those who do not have an account on the messaging platform.

Specifically, the feature is called 'guest chats,' and it will work within the WhatsApp ecosystem, unlike third-party chats, which rely on a third-party developer to create an integration that connects their service with users of the Meta app.

To access this feature, WhatsApp users must invite someone in their contacts who doesn't have the app installed. They will then receive a link allowing them to chat with the inviting user. This link can be shared via SMS, email, or other social media.

However, this option has some limitations : it will only work individually, as you won't be able to chat in a group, and you won't be able to share multimedia files such as photos, videos, and GIFs. Voice and video messages, as well as calls (both voice and video), will also be disabled.

This will be a first step in "the opening of WhatsApp," which means the beginning of a new era where users will be able to freely choose which apps to use, rather than having to stick with the ones everyone else has. Because you may never have considered switching from WhatsApp to another platform, but there are others that are much more secure, private, or offer different features that may be more suitable for you.