EU designates WhatsApp Channels as "very large online platform"
At a press briefing following the EU affairs ministerial meeting in Brussels, Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, explained that the designation applies specifically to WhatsApp Channels, the feature that enables users to broadcast announcements, updates, and information to large audiences.
A platform is considered "very large" if it reaches at least 45 million users within the EU. WhatsApp Channels surpassed that threshold in the latter half of 2024, boasting more than 46 million monthly users.
"It's therefore already subject to general DSA obligations that online platforms in the EU must respect," Virkkunen said.
The classification requires WhatsApp Channels to adhere to DSA regulations, which include performing risk assessments, moderating content, and submitting reporting obligations. Companies that fail to comply may face fines of up to 6% of their global turnover.
Virkkunen stressed that WhatsApp’s private messaging service is not affected by the DSA rules.
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