WhatsApp appears to be taking a very aggressive stance in protecting its intellectual property. So much so that it has filed for a round of cease and desist orders against two apps that make use of native Android APIs to push messages through WhatsApp.
Lawyers representing WhatsApp sent letters to the developers behind Can’t Talk and DirectChat. Both of which only interact with WhatsApp in an indirect manner, without using any of its APIs. Furthermore, the actual claims have been left vague; without specifying which parts of the app actually violate the WhatsApp API terms.
The only actual clear demand is that both the apps remove any functionality that connects to WhatsApp.
Why this is happening is unclear, and the companies involved are not making any statements. It could be that WhatsApp is trying to prevent third parties from making use of its platform. Completely sealing its ecosystem off from the rest of Android. Although the actual end game in this case is still a mystery.
What is clear is that Can’t Talk has been removed from the Google Play store while its developers decide on what to do. DirectChat is still available for download, but is also likely mulling over the legal threat from WhatsApp.
[Source: XDA Developers]
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