Meta-owned WhatsApp could face the strictest rules for platforms under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) as soon as the end of January, Euractiv has learned, although the exact timeline for the designation is not yet set.
Designation – as a so-called very large online platform (VLOP) – would mean WhatsApp joining Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook in being subject to DSA rules requiring VLOPs to mitigate systemic risks, such as to democratic processes or the well-being of vulnerable users.
Last February, WhatsApp published user numbers stating that its public messaging channels had an average of 46.8 million monthly users in the second half of 2024. Under the DSA, the threshold for platforms becoming VLOPs is once they exceed an average of 45 million monthly EU users.
The DSA does not regulate private communications, meaning a VLOPs designation would not affect WhatsApp’s core messaging service. However, it would apply to its public messaging channels, which resemble social media.
Once designated as a VLOP, WhatsApp would become the first messaging app to receive the status.
Meta would then be required to implement risk-mitigation measures to its public messaging channels to tackle illegal and harmful content, as well as undergoing regular independent audits and meeting other content governance obligations.
Platforms that fail to comply with the DSA can – on paper – face fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover. However, so far, the only VLOP fined by the Commission is Elon Musk’s social media company X, which was hit €120 million in December for breaching DSA transparency provisions.
(nl)