WhatsApp Faces Stricter EU Rules as User Base Surpasses 45 Million
WhatsApp's EU user base has crossed a threshold, subjecting it to stricter Digital Services Act regulations.
Matilda
WhatsApp Faces Stricter EU Rules as User Base Surpasses 45 Million
The Digital Services Act (DSA) represents a landmark piece of legislation from the European Union, designed to reshape the digital landscape and hold large online platforms accountable for the content they host. Its primary aim is to create a safer online environment for users, curbing the spread of illegal content, disinformation, and harmful practices. The DSA imposes a range of obligations on "Very Large Online Platforms" (VLOPs) and "Very Large Online Search Engines" (VLOSEs) – those with 45 million or more monthly active users in the EU. These obligations are tiered, with the most stringent requirements falling on the largest players. The DSA's core tenets revolve around transparency, accountability, and user empowerment. Platforms designated as VLOPs face stricter rules concerning content moderation, algorithmic transparency, and risk management. They must assess and mitigate systemic risks, such as the spread of disinformation or the amplification of …
