WhatsApp Now Subject to Stricter EU Tech Regulations
Meta’s WhatsApp messaging platform has surpassed the European Union’s user threshold, triggering more stringent regulations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to filings, the platform averaged 46.8 million active monthly users in the EU during the six-month period ending December 2024, exceeding the 45 million benchmark.
This means WhatsApp must now comply with stricter requirements within four months. These include assessing and managing risks related to illegal content, fundamental rights, public security, and child protection. Failure to meet these obligations could result in fines of up to 6% of the company’s global annual revenue.
The European Commission has confirmed the milestone, stating that WhatsApp qualifies as a Very Large Online Platform under the DSA.
Meta’s other major platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are already subject to these regulations. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives have voiced criticism of the EU’s tech policies.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Meta’s global policy director Joel Kaplan said that the company would consider seeking U.S. intervention if the EU’s regulations are perceived as unfair. Kaplan stressed Meta’s dedication to battling misinformation while acknowledging different views on what constitutes false information. The company has introduced Community Notes to allow for user-driven fact-checking across its platforms.
Meta has previously faced over €2 billion in EU penalties for antitrust and data protection violations and is under investigation for potential breaches of the Digital Services Act regarding minor protection.
Apple also recently removed apps from its App Store in the EU that failed to comply with trader requirements under the DSA. These apps will not be reinstated until the trader status is provided and verified by Apple.
