Story perspectives

WhatsApp Named 'Very Large Platform' Under EU Regulations

1/27/2026

45 7

Summary

Story summary

The European Commission designated Meta's WhatsApp as a very large online platform under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The designation reflects WhatsApp's 51.7 million average monthly active users in the EU, well above the 45-million threshold.
Other platforms, including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google's YouTube, and TikTok, are also categorized as very large online platforms.
Meta has until mid-May 2026 to comply with the DSA's additional obligations for these platforms.

1 of 1

Story summary

The European Commission designated Meta's WhatsApp as a very large online platform under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The designation reflects WhatsApp's 51.7 million average monthly active users in the EU, well above the 45-million threshold.
Other platforms, including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google's YouTube, and TikTok, are also categorized as very large online platforms.
Meta has until mid-May 2026 to comply with the DSA's additional obligations for these platforms.