27.01.2026 10:17
The European Union has classified WhatsApp, the world's most popular messaging application, as a 'Very Large Online Platform' due to surpassing the threshold of 45 million users. In this context, WhatsApp will be required to comply with additional legal obligations. These obligations include the proper assessment and mitigation of systemic risks such as violations of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression, election manipulation, and the spread of illegal content.
The European Commission announced that WhatsApp has surpassed the threshold of 45 million users in EU countries and is therefore classified as a "Very Large Online Platform" under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
In the statement, which reminded that WhatsApp is a hybrid service that includes private messaging and online platform features, it was noted that the WhatsApp Channels feature, which allows users to disseminate information, updates, and announcements, falls under the definition of an online platform service and is therefore subject to the general obligations that online platforms in the EU must comply with.
DEADLINE UNTIL MAY
The statement indicated that under the new classification, WhatsApp has until mid-May to comply with additional legal obligations, stating, "These obligations include the proper assessment and mitigation of systemic risks arising from its services, such as violations of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression, election manipulation, dissemination of illegal content, and privacy concerns."
Within the EU, various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn are classified as very large, and they need to combat illegal and harmful content more effectively.