WhatsApp faces potential strict EU regulations amid growing user base

WhatsApp

The European Union is poised to impose stricter regulations on WhatsApp, following a significant increase in the platform's user base. According to recent reports, WhatsApp has surpassed the threshold of 45 million monthly active users in the EU, which could classify it as a "Very Large Online Platform" (VLOP) under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).  Other platforms already classified as VLOPs include Google, Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Microsoft's LinkedIn, and Amazon.

“We have estimated the average monthly active recipients of WhatsApp Channels in the EU by reference to the average monthly active users on that service. For WhatsApp Channels, we define a monthly active user as an active user of the WhatsApp mobile app who opened a Channel in the last 30 days as of the date of measurement,” said WhatsApp.

The DSA requires that platforms exceeding this user threshold must adhere to more stringent requirements, including regular risk assessments on the distribution of harmful and illegal content. Companies that fail to comply with these rules could face severe fines, up to 6% of their annual global turnover.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, reported its user numbers to the EU Commission, acknowledging that its open channels, which are similar to social media feeds, have averaged about 46.8 million monthly users in the second half of 2024. The EU has been on the case of big American tech companies, with Meta previously indicating that it might appeal to the US government if faced with punitive measures from the EU.