WhatsApp now falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) rules for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) after Meta reported that WhatsApp Channels had approximately 46.8 million monthly active users (MAUs) in the EU during the second half of 2024. This exceeds the DSA’s threshold of 45 million MAUs, which triggers more stringent regulatory requirements for platforms designated as VLOPs.
What Does This Mean for WhatsApp?
Under the DSA, platforms designated as VLOPs face stricter obligations to ensure transparency, accountability, and user safety. These include:
- Conducting risk assessments to identify systemic risks, such as the spread of illegal content or disinformation.
- Implementing risk mitigation measures, including changes to algorithms if necessary.
- Providing transparency in advertising and content moderation practices.
- Allowing independent audits to validate compliance with DSA requirements.
- Establishing mechanisms for users to report illegal content and appeal content moderation decisions.
Additionally, VLOPs are directly supervised by the European Commission rather than national authorities, and non-compliance can result in fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover or other penalties.
Why Is This Significant?
The designation reflects the rapid growth of WhatsApp Channels in the EU since its launch in September 2023. Initially reporting 31 million MAUs in late 2023, the service has now surpassed the critical 45-million-user threshold within a year, subjecting it to these enhanced regulatory measures. This marks a significant shift for WhatsApp, traditionally known as a messaging app, as it increasingly functions like a social network through its broadcasting features.
The EU’s DSA aims to curb systemic risks posed by large platforms and increase accountability in areas such as content moderation and algorithmic transparency. With WhatsApp joining other major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under these rules, it underscores the EU’s commitment to regulating Big Tech comprehensively.