Highlights

• WhatsApp is now classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) in the EU.
• It surpassed the 45 million user threshold set by the Digital Services Act (DSA) and now faces stricter rules.
• WhatsApp has four months to comply with stricter DSA rules including identifying risks related to illegal content and improving transparency in handling harmful content.
• Meta is pushing back against the regulations with CEO Zuckerberg and Global Policy Director Joel Kaplan criticising EU tech regulations.

WhatsApp is now facing tougher regulations in Europe after surpassing a key user threshold under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The messaging platform owned by Meta must now take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content, which is a challenge other tech companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft have already been dealing with in the EU.

WhatsApp Now a ‘Very Large Online Platform’ in the EU

In a February 14 filing, WhatsApp reported having an average of 46.8 million monthly active users in the EU over the past six months. This exceeds the 45 million user threshold set by the DSA, officially classifying WhatsApp as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP).

Confirming this, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated, “WhatsApp has published user numbers above the threshold for designation as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act.”

With this classification, WhatsApp now has four months to comply with stricter DSA rules.

As a VLOP, WhatsApp is required to identify and assess risks related to illegal content, protect fundamental rights, public security and minors and also improve transparency in handling harmful content. If it fails to meet these requirements, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

Meta’s Warning to the EU

Meta’s Facebook and Instagram are already under the same EU rules, and the company is pushing back. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Global Policy Director Joel Kaplan have criticised EU tech regulations, even seeking U.S. President Donald Trump’s intervention.

At the Munich Security Conference, Kaplan made it clear that Meta will follow EU laws but if the EU unfairly targets Meta, they won’t hesitate to escalate the issue to the U.S. government

This signals growing tensions between American tech companies and European regulators.

Meta has already been hit with over €2 billion in EU fines for violating antitrust and data protection rules. The company is also under investigation for potential breaches of the DSA, specifically concerning child protection.

Meanwhile, it turns out WhatsApp isn’t the only company affected by the DSA. Earlier this week, Apple removed hundreds of apps from the EU App Store that failed to meet new trader verification requirements. These apps will remain blocked until they comply.

FAQs

Q1. Why is WhatsApp now classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) in the EU?

Answer. WhatsApp reported having an average of 46.8 million monthly active users in the EU over the past six months, surpassing the 45 million user threshold set by the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Q2. What new regulations must WhatsApp comply with as a VLOP in the EU?

Answer. WhatsApp must identify and assess risks related to illegal content, protect fundamental rights, public security and minors and improve transparency in handling harmful content.

Q3. What are the consequences for Meta if WhatsApp fails to comply with the new DSA rules?

Answer. Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue if WhatsApp fails to meet the DSA requirements.

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