WhatsApp Faces EU Tech Rules After Reaching Very Large Platform Status

WhatsApp in a February 14 filing said it had about 46.8 million average monthly active users in the EU.

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 21 February 2025 15:46 IST
Highlights
  • WhatsApp has four months to comply with the DSA requirements
  • Fines for DSA violations can reach as much as 6% of a company's revenue
  • Meta has criticised EU tech rules and sought support from President Trump
WhatsApp Faces EU Tech Rules After Reaching Very Large Platform Status

Meta's Instagram and Facebook are already classified as very large online platforms

Photo Credit: Reuters

WhatsApp has hit a user criterion set out in landmark EU tech rules, the unit owned by Meta Platforms said, meaning it is required to do more to tackle online illegal and harmful content.

Messaging platform WhatsApp in a February 14 filing said it had about 46.8 million average monthly active users in the 27-country European Union in the six month period to December 2024, above the 45-million-user threshold set out in the Digital Services Act (DSA).

"We can indeed confirm that WhatsApp has published user numbers above the threshold for designation as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act," European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said in an email on Wednesday.

After receiving the designation, a platform has four months to comply with the DSA requirements including identifying and assessing system risks related to illegal content, fundamental rights, public security and protection of minors.

Advertisement

Fines for DSA violations can reach as much as 6 percent of a company's global annual revenue. Meta's Instagram and Facebook are already classified as very large online platforms.

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and its chief lobbyist Joel Kaplan have criticised EU tech rules and enlisted the support of US President Donald Trump.

Advertisement

© Thomson Reuters 2025

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. iQOO Neo 10 First Sale in India Kicks Off Today: Price, Offers and Features
  2. Apple to Reportedly Overhaul Shortcuts App With AI-Powered Capabilities
  3. Apple Might Not Make Any Major AI Announcements at WWDC 2025
  1. Apple Developing Solid-State, Haptic Buttons for iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad, Tipster Claims
  2. Elden Ring Nightreign Sells 2 Million Copies on First Day; Patch Announced to Make Solo Play Easier
  3. Vivo X Fold 5 Battery, Charging Details Surface Online; Tipped to Be Cheaper Than Vivo X Fold 3 Pro
  4. Apple's macOS 26 to Be Reportedly Named After California’s Lake Tahoe
  5. Apple Might Not Make Any Major AI Announcements at WWDC 2025: Report
  6. iPhone 17 to Reportedly Use Same Chip as iPhone 16; All Models Could Incorporate Metalens Technology
  7. iQOO Neo 10 With 7,000mAh Battery Goes on Sale in India: Price, Offers and Specifications
  8. Apple to Announce Overhauled Shortcuts App With AI-Powered Capabilities at WWDC 2025: Report
  9. Instagram for iPad App ‘Actively’ Being Tested on Meta Campus Ahead of Launch This Year: Report
  10. Webb Telescope Uncovers Hidden Active Galactic Nuclei
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.