Interoperability

- Reading time: 4 minutes / whole rubric: 37 minutes -


In chat, this term is generally understood to mean “cross-messenger communication.” However, this definition is better:

Interoperability is the ability to exchange information independently of vendors via standardized interfaces and protocols.

Analogy: For example, the “e-mail” system is interoperable because each user can choose a different provider and e-mail program and still all can communicate with each other and across providers.

At the European level, there are efforts with the Digital Markets Act to force especially the large and previously closed providers of messenger systems to a certain openness (not interoperability).