According to a Reuters report, Meta's WhatsApp messaging service may face enhanced regulatory examination and potential penalties from the European Commission via the Digital Services Act. The platform's WhatsApp Channels functionality has surpassed the 45-million-user threshold, reaching an average of 51.7 million monthly active users in the European Union during the initial half of 2025.
The European Commission classifies a platform as a 'very large online platform,' or VLOP, when it exceeds 45 million monthly users. Reaching this level subjects the service to the full scope of DSA regulations, which govern the operations of digital platforms with a strong emphasis on eliminating unlawful or damaging material. Non-adherence to these requirements can result in fines amounting to as much as six percent of a company's worldwide yearly earnings.
While WhatsApp primarily serves as a tool for private conversations, its Channels option allows users to broadcast one-way updates to subscribers, resembling Meta's broader social networking offerings. In a routine press update observed by Reuters, a Commission official stated, 'In this case, we could potentially designate WhatsApp specifically for WhatsApp Channels, and I can confirm that the Commission is currently investigating the matter, without ruling out an upcoming classification.' Engadget has reached out to Meta for a statement regarding the potential status change for WhatsApp and will revise this piece upon receiving any reply.
The prospect of WhatsApp drawing EU regulatory attention was initially highlighted in a November 2025 article, though Meta has encountered DSA enforcement actions prior to that date. In October 2025, authorities accused Meta of breaching EU regulations due to its methods for prompting users to flag prohibited content on Facebook and Instagram. That same month, a court in the Netherlands mandated alterations to the way timelines appear on Meta's services, citing that residents were inadequately empowered to independently decide on engaging with personalized suggestion algorithms within the applications.