WhatsApp Classified as Very Large Online Platform Under EU Rules

The messaging app surpasses 45 million EU users, triggering stricter regulations under the Digital Services Act.

WhatsApp reported an average of 46.8 million monthly active users in the EU during the last six months of 2024, crossing the Digital Services Act's threshold for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs).
The designation requires WhatsApp to adhere to stricter rules, including content moderation, risk assessments, and transparency measures.
Under the DSA, VLOPs must allow users to report illegal content, limit targeted advertising, and offer more control over personal data use.
Failure to comply with DSA regulations could result in fines of up to 6% of a company's global annual revenue.
Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms are already classified as VLOPs, and the company has expressed criticism of the EU's regulatory framework.