WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, has officially been designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) in the European Union. This designation, which comes under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), means that WhatsApp will be subject to stricter regulations and guidelines in the region.

The DSA assigns VLOP status to any online service with more than 45 million users, a threshold WhatsApp crossed last year. According to a February 14th filing, WhatsApp recorded an average of "approximately 46.8 million" monthly active users of WhatsApp Channels, its broadcasting feature, over the last six months of 2024.

As a VLOP, WhatsApp will be required to provide users with ways to report illegal goods, services, or content, as well as ways to prevent or remove such posts. The DSA also places tight controls on what information companies can use for targeted advertising and heavier restrictions on child-targeted ads. Europeans who use VLOPs are entitled to more control over how their data is used and must be given the ability to opt out of things like recommendations systems and profiling.

This designation is significant, as it marks a shift in the way WhatsApp operates in the EU. The company will need to adapt to these new regulations, which are designed to promote a safer and more transparent online environment. WhatsApp is not the first Meta-owned platform to be designated as a VLOP; Facebook and Instagram have already been classified as such.

The EU's Digital Services Act, which went into effect in February, aims to create a safer and more accountable online environment. The act sets out to address issues such as disinformation, hate speech, and illegal content, and holds online platforms accountable for the content they host. With WhatsApp's new VLOP status, the company will need to take steps to comply with these regulations and ensure that its platform is a safe and trustworthy space for its users.

This development is likely to have significant implications for the tech industry as a whole. As online platforms continue to grow and evolve, they will be subject to increasing scrutiny and regulation. The EU's Digital Services Act sets a precedent for how online platforms can be held accountable for their actions, and it will be interesting to see how other countries and regions respond to these developments.

In conclusion, WhatsApp's designation as a Very Large Online Platform in the EU marks a significant shift in the way the company operates in the region. With stricter regulations and guidelines in place, WhatsApp will need to adapt to these changes and ensure that its platform is a safe and trustworthy space for its users. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor how these regulations impact online platforms and the users they serve.