The European Commission on Monday formally designated WhatsApp as a very large online platform under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, a move that places tougher obligations on the messaging service to tackle illegal and harmful content.
The decision means WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, will face stricter oversight and enhanced compliance requirements under the bloc’s landmark digital regulation. The designation reflects the platform’s growing reach within the EU and the increasing role of messaging services in content distribution.
User numbers trigger designation
The European Commission said earlier this month that it was considering whether WhatsApp should fall under the rules for very large online platforms. This followed data showing that WhatsApp had an average of 51.7 million monthly active users of its channels across the EU during the first six months of 2025.
That figure exceeds the 45 million user threshold set out in the Digital Services Act. Under the law, platforms that cross this threshold face additional responsibilities due to their potential impact on public discourse and user safety.
By confirming the designation, the Commission has brought WhatsApp into a group of major online services that must meet higher regulatory standards aimed at protecting users and ensuring greater accountability.
New obligations for WhatsApp
The Digital Services Act requires very large platforms to take stronger action against illegal content and material deemed harmful. These platforms must also assess and mitigate systemic risks linked to how their services operate and how content spreads.
In a statement, the Commission said Meta now has four months to bring WhatsApp into compliance with the additional obligations. This sets a deadline of mid May 2026 for the company to ensure the messaging platform meets the requirements applied to very large online platforms.
Although WhatsApp has traditionally focused on private messaging, its channels feature allows content to reach large audiences. Regulators have increasingly turned their attention to such features as they blur the line between private communication and public content sharing.
Joining a growing list of platforms
WhatsApp now joins a list of companies already classified as very large online platforms under the DSA. These include Meta’s own services Facebook and Instagram, as well as YouTube owned by Google.
Other platforms subject to the same rules include TikTok, online marketplace Temu and professional networking site LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft.
The inclusion of WhatsApp underlines the EU’s intention to apply the Digital Services Act consistently across a wide range of digital services as it seeks to strengthen online safety and accountability.
With inputs from Reuters
