WhatsApp's Surge in EU Users Triggers Stricter Regulations Under Digital Services Act

WhatsApp, a leading messaging service owned by Meta Platforms, has recently surpassed a critical user threshold, which subjects it to enhanced regulatory obligations under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA). As of late 2024, WhatsApp's open channels, which link users with news outlets and public figures, reported approximately 46.8 million monthly users in the EU, establishing it as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA.

The DSA, a comprehensive framework meant to regulate digital services across Europe, stipulates stricter control for VLOPs, defined as platforms with more than 45 million monthly active users within the EU. Under these regulations, platforms are required to conduct thorough risk assessments concerning the dissemination of illegal and harmful content and implement effective measures to mitigate these risks.

This expansion in regulatory scope was confirmed by European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, who highlighted the importance of this designation. This means WhatsApp must now navigate a complex landscape of compliance, where failure to adhere can result in fines up to 6% of annual global sales of the parent company.

Controversies surrounding the regulation of such platforms intensified with remarks from JD Vance, Vice President of the former Trump administration, criticizing the EU's regulatory actions during a recent European security conference. Meta Platforms, WhatsApp's parent company, has not commented on this new regulatory development.

In parallel, the messaging service Telegram reported its user statistics this week, confirming that its monthly EU users of public channels are significantly lower than the DSA threshold, thereby exempting it from the stringent requirements imposed on VLOPs. This update followed scrutiny last year over Telegram's user data after allegations against its CEO Pavel Durov led to his arrest in France.

The DSA's biannual disclosure mandate forces platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to continually assess and report their operations, ensuring transparency and accountability in their engagement with EU users. This regulation signifies the EU's ongoing commitment to curbing the unchecked influence of major tech companies and safeguarding its digital ecosystem from various online threats.

As WhatsApp adjusts to these new requirements, the overarching focus will be on how well it can integrate stringent EU standards without compromising user experience and maintaining robust growth in its global operations.