WhatsApp has been classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) after its Channels feature attracted an average of 46.8 million monthly active users in the last six months of 2024.
This categorisation requires WhatsApp to follow stricter standards aimed at improving user safety and transparency.
As a VLOP, WhatsApp must now develop systems for users to report illegal actions, take proactive measures to prevent or remove such content, and give users more control over their data, including tighter limitations on data usage for targeted advertising.
In response, WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy to align with these regulatory obligations. Meta’s other platforms, Facebook and Instagram, have already been operating under VLOP status within the EU.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure safer and more accountable online environments.
Under the DSA, WhatsApp is required to implement robust mechanisms that enable users to report illegal content or activities directly within the app.
The platform must act promptly to remove or restrict access to such content upon receiving valid notifications.
Additionally, WhatsApp is obligated to provide clear and comprehensible terms and conditions, ensuring users are well-informed about how their data is processed and used.
The DSA also mandates that platforms like WhatsApp offer users greater control over personalized advertising, including options to opt out of targeted ads based on personal data profiling. These measures aim to empower users and foster a more transparent digital ecosystem.
The DSA, which went into force for the largest platforms on August 25, 2023, intends to make the digital realm safer by holding major online platforms accountable for the spread of illegal and harmful information.
It requires these platforms to identify and minimize systemic risks, implement comprehensive content filtering, and promote transparency in their operations.
The Act also requires platforms to offer users with clear mechanisms for reporting illegal content and appealing moderation decisions.
In addition to the DSA, WhatsApp is working to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates interoperability among messaging platforms.
This implies WhatsApp will need to support communication with users of other messaging apps like iMessage, Telegram, and Signal. WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has announced plans to integrate third-party chat capabilities, allowing users to handle messages from many apps from a single inbox.
This program attempts to increase competition and give users additional options for texting services.
These regulatory developments reflect the EU’s commitment to increasing accountability and competition among major digital platforms, ensuring a safer and more transparent online environment for users.
