EU Tightens Content Moderation Rules for WhatsApp

As the EU tightens its regulations on social media, Meta Platforms Inc.’s messaging app WhatsApp will be subject to more stringent guidelines under the EU’s content moderation rulebook.

According to persons familiar with the situation, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, intends to classify WhatsApp’s open channels as a “Very Large Online Platform” under the Digital Services Act, requiring it to adhere to strict guidelines for content control and transparency. Similar to social media, channels are open streams connected to news outlets or prominent persons.

Because of its public Channels feature, the European Commission intends to designate WhatsApp as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which will require Meta Platforms Inc.’s messaging service to adhere to more stringent criteria for content moderation and transparency.

WhatsApp’s primary private messaging functions won’t be impacted by the new status because user communications are not subject to the Digital Services Act. Publicly accessible content distribution mechanisms, such as social media platforms, are explicitly targeted by the rule.

According to the people, the commission has notified Meta of the impending designation in a letter. They stated that there isn’t a certain date for a public announcement. Facebook and Instagram, which are owned by Meta, are already covered by the designation.

The majority of significant internet companies are covered by the classification, which is granted to platforms in Europe with more than 45 million monthly users. Amazon Inc. has challenged the designation in court.

Tensions between the EU and US President Donald Trump, who has claimed that the EU’s stringent digital regulation unjustly targets US businesses, could worsen as a result of the decision. In reaction to the EU fining US IT companies, Trump has already threatened to impose tariffs.

Open feeds connected to public people or news organisations are called channels. In February, WhatsApp revealed that by late 2024, its channels would have an average of 46.8 million monthly users in Europe.

Since private communications are not governed by the DSA, WhatsApp’s primary messaging feature will remain unaffected.

In order to prevent the spread of hazardous or unlawful content, very big internet platforms must conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies. Every six months, they are required to report user numbers; this rule compelled Apple Inc. to release data from the European App Store. Under the DSA, fines may amount to up to 6% of a company’s yearly worldwide revenues.

The European Commission cannot confirm the timing for a possible future designation, according to a spokesman for the organisation. Additionally, there is no definite date for a public announcement.

When asked for comment, a Meta representative did not reply.

A service is eligible for classification under the DSA if it has more than 45 million monthly active users; the European Commission confirms the numbers before formally designating the service as a VLOP. This moniker is already applied to Facebook and Instagram, which are both owned by Meta.

VLOP shall carry out risk assessments regarding the dissemination of dangerous or illegal content on their services and put mitigation plans in place to deal with hazards that are found. They must share user statistics every six months, a condition that previously compelled Apple Inc. to release European App Store data for the first time. Businesses that violate the rule risk fines of up to 6% of their yearly worldwide sales.

Tensions between the European Union and US President Donald Trump may worsen as a result of the designation. In reaction to the EU fining US technology companies, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and has criticised European technology regulations as unjustly targeting American corporations.

As it was previously reported, sophisticated fraud schemes are now targeting messaging networks. In November 2025, Binance CEO Richard Teng issued a warning about scammers posing as firm employees on WhatsApp in order to contact users.