🧾 1) EU regulates WhatsApp as a “Very Large Online Platform”
🧾 1) EU regulates WhatsApp as a “Very Large Online Platform”
The European Commission has officially designated WhatsApp (specifically its Channels feature) as a very large online platform under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Because the platform now exceeds usage thresholds, Meta must take extra responsibility to tackle harmful and illegal content, disinformation, privacy risks, and user safety, with compliance deadlines set for mid-2026. Failure to comply could lead to fines up to 6% of global revenue. This is a recent regulatory action targeting how WhatsApp handles public messaging features — separate from end-to-end encrypted chats. 
🇬🇧 2) UK regulator investigating Meta-WhatsApp data claims
The UK telecom regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into whether Meta provided accurate and complete information about WhatsApp in a recent market review. Ofcom has indicated that the data Meta submitted may have been incomplete or inaccurate, and Meta says it will cooperate fully with the probe. This investigation could lead to enforcement action depending on the outcome. 
🇬🇧 3) UK Ofcom starts a WhatsApp probe
Similarly reported by multiple outlets: Ofcom has opened an investigation into Meta’s compliance regarding WhatsApp data and market reporting. The outcome may affect future regulation of messaging services in the UK. 
⸻
🧠 Context / Background
While this recent news isn’t about WhatsApp reading your private messages (it still uses end-to-end encryption), regulators in both the EU and UK are taking a closer look at how WhatsApp:
✅ Handles user data and privacy
✅ Reports data to authorities
✅ Responds to antitrust and compliance obligations
✅ Manages public content through features like Channels
These kinds of actions reflect growing scrutiny of big tech platforms in Europe and elsewhere.
Comments
Nice post!