EU’s Digital Services Act Takes Effect: Meta’s WhatsApp Designated as ‘Very Large Platform’

On Monday, the European Commission formally designated Meta Platform’s WhatsApp as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This designation makes WhatsApp more accountable for addressing illegal and harmful content within its ecosystem. The Commission had previously announced its intention to consider such a classification due to WhatsApp’s significant user base in the European Union, which reached 51.7 million average monthly active users of its channels over the first six months of 2026, surpassing the 45-million-user threshold outlined in the DSA.

The DSA places greater responsibilities on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) to combat illegal and harmful content more effectively. Other companies identified as VLOPs under this mandate include Facebook, Instagram, Google’s YouTube, TikTok, Temu, and Microsoft’s LinkedIn. Following the official designation of WhatsApp, Meta, the platform’s provider, has four months—until mid-May 2026—to ensure that its service complies with these enhanced obligations mandated by the DSA.