The end of the reduced tariff? WhatsApp under strict supervision from Brussels

The European Commission said on Monday that it recognized WhatsApp as a very large platform under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This imposes additional requirements on the website, including limiting the spread of illegal content.

EU regulations cover open WhatsApp channels acting as social media platforms. However, private communication channels that constitute the main activity of the website have been excluded.

At the beginning of January, the European Commission admitted that it was considering including messenger on the list of very large internet platforms. Under DSA, websites with over 45 million active users are considered such. WhatsApp crossed this threshold back in February last year; According to the company's reports, 46.8 million Europeans were already using WhatsApp channels.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is the first messenger covered by DSA regulations. The EU list of very large platforms so far included social networking sites such as Facebook or X and search engines.

EU regulations require very large online platforms to take greater actions, including: in combating illegal and harmful content. (PAP)

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