The European Commission continues to assess whether WhatsApp should be classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This ongoing evaluation highlights the EU’s commitment to regulating major digital platforms and ensuring user safety online. The DSA mandates stricter obligations for VLOPs regarding content moderation and risk management. The EU Commission is actively reviewing WhatsApp’s user base and potential impact to determine if it meets the criteria for VLOP designation. A platform is classified as a VLOP if it has more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU. If classified as a VLOP, WhatsApp would face increased scrutiny and be subject to more stringent enforcement of the DSA’s regulations, including audits and potential fines. This ongoing assessment directly affects Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, and its millions of European users. The outcome could significantly alter how WhatsApp operates within the EU, potentially requiring enhanced measures to address illegal content and mitigate risks. The Commission’s decision reflects a broader effort to exert European digital sovereignty and safeguard its citizens in the online sphere.

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Publication: Heise Online

Published: January 11, 2026 at 03:25 PM UTC

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