WhatsApp Channels bring the app under EU law

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)