WhatsApp could soon face stricter regulation in the European Union. This is due to the rapid growth of its Channels feature, which has now reached a level where EU law applies. This means that, for the first time, WhatsApp is not only a messenger service, but also a public platform that is under scrutiny by European digital regulators.
The EU has been tightening its rules for large online services for years. The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to hold platforms more accountable when it comes to illegal or harmful content. So far, the focus has primarily been on traditional social networks. Now, there are strong indications that WhatsApp could also be affected by these rules.
Strong growth of WhatsApp Channels in the EU
The potential regulation is triggered by the growth of WhatsApp Channels. According to a Reuters report, the broadcasting feature reached an average of 51.7 million monthly active users in the European Union during the first half of 2025, thus exceeding the 45 million user threshold.
This threshold is crucial because the European Commission classifies platforms of this size and above as very large online platforms. From this point onward, the provisions of the Digital Services Act automatically apply.
What being a very large online platform means
According to the European Commission, a platform is considered a very large online platform if it has at least 45 million monthly active users in the EU. Once this classification is granted, the service must fulfill extensive obligations.
These include clear measures for removing illegal or harmful content, greater transparency in moderation decisions, and better user protection. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in severe sanctions. The EU can impose fines of up to six percent of global annual revenue.
Why WhatsApp is affected despite its private origins
WhatsApp is traditionally perceived as a private messaging app. Chats are encrypted and take place in closed groups or between individual contacts. However, the Channels feature significantly changes this perception.
WhatsApp Channels allow for one-way content sharing. All users who follow a channel can see the posts without having to reply or interact themselves. This structure is much more similar to traditional social media platforms than a messenger service.
A spokesperson for the European Commission stated at a daily press conference that WhatsApp is being specifically examined in connection with its Channels feature. A future classification of WhatsApp Channels as a very large online platform is being actively investigated and cannot be ruled out.
Meta under increasing regulatory pressure
The potential regulation of WhatsApp is the latest in a long list of conflicts between Meta and the EU. Reports first surfaced in November 2025 that WhatsApp could come under scrutiny from European regulatory authorities.
In October 2025, Meta was sued for an alleged violation of EU law. The lawsuit concerned the company's failure to adequately encourage users to report illegal content on Facebook and Instagram.
Also in October, a Dutch court ruled against Meta. The company was ordered to change how timelines are displayed on its platforms. The court reasoned that users in the Netherlands were not sufficiently able to make free and autonomous decisions regarding the use of profiled recommendation systems.
WhatsApp Channels are changing the legal classification of the app
The growth of WhatsApp Channels has direct regulatory consequences. Due to its wide reach in the EU, WhatsApp could fall under the Digital Services Act, at least with this feature. This would mean that, for the first time, parts of WhatsApp would be subject to the same strict rules as other major online platforms. The case illustrates how drastically WhatsApp's role has changed and how consistently the EU now applies its digital laws. (Image: Shutterstock / Jordan Grind Brew Drink)
- Apple TV receives seven nominations at the 2026 PGA Awards
- Instagram data leak: 17.5 million users affected
- Grok scandal: US senators demand app store ban
- Apple Home: Support for the old version is nearing its end
- These new emojis could soon be coming to the iPhone
- Apple stock in focus: Evercore raises price target to $330
- Apple will provide insight into its Q1 2026 figures at the end of January
- Apple reveals executive salaries: Tim Cook's income in 2025
- Apple announces date and details for its 2026 annual shareholders meeting
- iOS 26.3: Second test for Apple's background security
- John Ternus is once again being considered as the next CEO of Apple
- AirPods of the future: Apple is researching smart gesture logic
- Apple wins antitrust lawsuit and patent dispute against AliveCor
- Apple under pressure: India insists on possible billion-dollar fine
- Blood glucose monitoring with the Apple Watch is getting closer
- Chase will become the new issuer of the Apple Card
- Apple TV dominates Actor Awards with comedy hit The Studio
- OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health with Apple Health integration
- WhatsApp introduces new features for organized group chats
- iOS 26.3 tests background security updates in the system
- Apple 2026: Are higher prices for Macs and iPhones imminent?
- iPhone Fold is getting closer: CES provides strong clues
- Apple makes Macs and iPads significantly faster on 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Apple Vision Pro makes NBA games immersive for the first time
- Apple TV wins seven awards at Critics' Choice Awards
