EU Says WhatSApp to face stricter content rules

EU Says WhatSApp to face stricter content rules

Reported by Sele Media Africa| Ihuoma Amarachi

The European Union (EU) has officially designated WhatsApp as a “very large online platform” under its Digital Services Act (DSA), meaning the Meta-owned messaging service will now face stricter rules on content and harmful material shared through its public-facing features. Under the DSA framework, platforms with over 45 million monthly users in the EU are classed as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and must meet heightened obligations to curb illegal, harmful, and misleading content, ensure user safety, and mitigate systemic risks. According to the European Commission, WhatsApp’s “Channels” feature, which allows one-to-many broadcasting similar to social media feeds, exceeded 45 million average monthly active users in the EU, triggering the designation.

The Commission’s move aligns WhatsApp with other major tech platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Temu, and LinkedIn — already subject to the same regulatory obligations under the DSA. With the designation now confirmed, Meta has until mid-May 2026 to ensure WhatsApp fully complies with additional DSA requirements related to risk assessment, content moderation transparency, and protections against illegal and harmful material. Officials emphasized that the stricter rules apply to the public, broadcast-style aspects of WhatsApp (like Channels), while the core private, end-to-end encrypted messaging remains outside the scope of DSA enforcement. EU regulators say the enforcement of these strengthened rules is aimed at making the platform more responsible for preventing the spread of harmful content and misinformation across its growing user base in the bloc.

Citations:

1. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-designates-whatsapp-very-large-online-platform-under-digital-services-act

2. https://www.anews.com.tr/european-union/2026/01/26/eu-says-whatsapp-to-face-stricter-content-rules

3. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/eu-make-whatsapp-more-responsible-tackling-harmful-content-5884551

4. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/eu-whatsapp-more-responsible-tackling-152419362.html

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

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Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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