EU to Enforce Stricter WhatsApp Rules Under Digital Services Act

The European Union is preparing to tighten regulations on WhatsApp through the Digital Services Act, aiming to enhance oversight of digital communications and reinforce user protections across member states in response to growing concerns over data privacy and online safety.

A Shift in WhatsApp’s Identity

Until recently, WhatsApp was largely seen as a platform devoted to private, secure conversations. However, the introduction and rapid expansion of its Channels feature—enabling one-way broadcasts to large audiences—has blurred that distinction. This evolution has not gone unnoticed in the halls of Brussels, where regulators are keenly observing any move that brings the app closer to mainstream social networks owned by Meta, such as Facebook and Instagram. The changes could have far-reaching regulatory implications for both the company and its European users.

The Critical Threshold: VLOP Status in Europe

According to recent estimates, approximately 51.7 million people across the European Union used WhatsApp Channels monthly during the first half of 2025. This figure places WhatsApp above the decisive threshold of 45 million users required for a platform to be classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Exceeding this mark means Meta could soon be subject to some of the most stringent digital rules ever enforced on tech giants within Europe.

What VLOP Designation Means for Meta

Crossing into VLOP territory brings a host of new obligations. Chief among these are requirements to swiftly remove illegal or harmful content, adjust recommendation algorithms for greater safety, and increase overall transparency. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, potentially up to six percent of global annual revenue—a substantial risk for any company at Meta’s scale.

Several factors explain this intensified scrutiny:

• The growing public role of WhatsApp Channels in information dissemination.
• A broader European push to hold platforms accountable for algorithmic choices.
• The precedent set by previous regulatory actions against Meta in other markets.

A spokesperson from the European Commission recently confirmed that WhatsApp Channels’ official designation as a VLOP is “under review,” hinting strongly at future action.

A New Era of Oversight in the EU

It is not only WhatsApp feeling the heat. In late 2025, Meta faced tough questions over how it handles reports of illegal content on both Facebook and Instagram. Dutch courts have already forced changes to its algorithmic systems over concerns about user autonomy and freedom of choice. This signals a shift: across Europe, regulators are no longer content with self-regulation—they are raising expectations and tightening controls.

As debates intensify around compliance with the DSA, industry watchers anticipate even closer monitoring of Meta’s platforms in coming months. For now, Meta remains silent on its next steps—but all signs point toward heightened oversight as WhatsApp continues evolving well beyond its roots in private messaging.