WhatsApp to Face Stricter EU Rules Under Digital Services Act
The European Union is set to impose stricter regulations on Meta Platforms Inc.'s popular messaging service WhatsApp, marking a significant escalation in the bloc's efforts to regulate major tech companies. The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, plans to designate WhatsApp's broadcast channels feature as a "Very Large Online Platform" (VLOP) under its landmark Digital Services Act (DSA).
What the VLOP Designation Means for WhatsApp
This designation specifically targets WhatsApp Channels, which are open feeds similar to social media timelines that can be operated by news organizations, public figures, and other entities. The European Commission has already sent an official letter to Meta informing the company about this upcoming decision, though a public announcement date remains unconfirmed.
The VLOP status already applies to Meta's other major platforms, Facebook and Instagram, and is triggered when a platform exceeds 45 million monthly users in Europe. WhatsApp reported its channels had approximately 46.8 million monthly users in Europe as of late 2024, just above the threshold.
Enhanced Responsibilities and Potential Penalties
Under the DSA's stringent requirements, platforms designated as VLOPs must conduct comprehensive risk assessments concerning the spread of illegal or harmful content and implement robust mitigation strategies. They are also required to publish transparency reports every six months detailing user numbers and content moderation activities.
Importantly, the regulations do not affect WhatsApp's core private messaging functionality, as the DSA specifically exempts private communications from its scope. The rules focus exclusively on public-facing features like channels.
Non-compliance with the DSA can result in substantial penalties, with fines reaching up to 6% of a company's annual global revenue. This enforcement previously compelled Apple Inc. to disclose its European App Store user figures.
Broader Implications for US-EU Tech Relations
This regulatory move occurs against a backdrop of increasing tension between the European Union and the United States regarding tech regulation. Former US President Donald Trump has characterized the EU's stringent tech rules as unfairly targeting American companies and has previously threatened retaliatory tariffs in response to EU actions against US tech firms.
Amazon Inc. has similarly contested its VLOP designation through legal channels, highlighting the ongoing friction between major US tech corporations and European regulators.
When approached for comment, a European Commission spokesperson stated the institution "cannot confirm the timeline for a potential future designation," while Meta representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
