WhatsApp is set to come under tighter oversight as part of the expanding WhatsApp EU regulation, with the European Commission reportedly preparing to classify the platform’s open channels as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP). According to Bloomberg, Meta has already been informed, even though the Commission has not publicly confirmed the decision yet.
This move places WhatsApp in the same regulatory tier as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon and Google, while also signaling the EU’s increasing focus on public-facing features inside messaging apps.
Why WhatsApp EU regulation is expanding
The Digital Services Act (DSA) grants the EU greater authority over any platform labeled as a VLOP. As a result, once WhatsApp’s open channels receive the designation, they’ll face tougher rules related to content moderation, transparency and data handling. The platform will also be required to undergo annual independent audits and demonstrate more clarity around advertising practices.
In reality, the decision was expected. The DSA automatically applies VLOP status to platforms with more than 45 million monthly EU users, and WhatsApp reported 46.8 million in the second half of 2024. Therefore, the reclassification aligns directly with existing thresholds.
How the WhatsApp EU regulation VLOP status affects users
It’s important to note that VLOP status applies only to WhatsApp’s open channels feature, which operates more like a public broadcast tool than a private messaging service. Because open channels reach large audiences and are algorithmically distributed, they fall squarely within the DSA’s scope.
However, private chats remain fully end-to-end encrypted and unaffected. Users’ personal messaging will not be monitored, altered or regulated differently as a result of this change. The regulations apply strictly to public-facing features — not individual conversations.
What’s next for WhatsApp under the EU regulation
Meta hasn’t publicly commented, but because Facebook and Instagram are already VLOPs, the company is familiar with these requirements. Consequently, WhatsApp will likely begin implementing additional transparency tools, updated reporting interfaces and safety disclosures within open channels.
Once the designation becomes official, WhatsApp will join a growing list of services operating under the most stringent layer of the EU’s digital governance framework — a shift that will almost certainly shape how open channels evolve.
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