EU Regulators Set Sights on WhatsApp's Growing Channels Feature
The European Commission is closing in on Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp, as its rapidly growing "Channels" feature has crossed a crucial threshold under the Digital Services Act (DSA). With around 51.7 million average monthly active users in the EU, WhatsApp's Channels have reached the 45-million-person mark, making it subject to stricter scrutiny and potentially even regulation.
As a "very large online platform," WhatsApp will be held to the same standards as other major platforms like Facebook and Instagram under the DSA. This means that Meta could face fines of up to six percent of its global annual revenue if it fails to comply with regulations aimed at removing illegal or harmful content.
The Channels feature, which allows users to make one-sided posts to anyone who follows their channel, has raised concerns about WhatsApp's shift towards a more social media-like platform. The European Commission is actively looking into this development and has already designated Meta for previous DSA-related fines.
This new designation comes as no surprise, given that the possibility of WhatsApp facing EU regulation was first reported in November 2025. Meta has been dealing with DSA-related issues since before then, including a court order to change how it presents timelines on its platforms in the Netherlands.
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, WhatsApp's growth and increasing influence in Europe will likely be subject to closer scrutiny by EU regulators.
The European Commission is closing in on Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp, as its rapidly growing "Channels" feature has crossed a crucial threshold under the Digital Services Act (DSA). With around 51.7 million average monthly active users in the EU, WhatsApp's Channels have reached the 45-million-person mark, making it subject to stricter scrutiny and potentially even regulation.
As a "very large online platform," WhatsApp will be held to the same standards as other major platforms like Facebook and Instagram under the DSA. This means that Meta could face fines of up to six percent of its global annual revenue if it fails to comply with regulations aimed at removing illegal or harmful content.
The Channels feature, which allows users to make one-sided posts to anyone who follows their channel, has raised concerns about WhatsApp's shift towards a more social media-like platform. The European Commission is actively looking into this development and has already designated Meta for previous DSA-related fines.
This new designation comes as no surprise, given that the possibility of WhatsApp facing EU regulation was first reported in November 2025. Meta has been dealing with DSA-related issues since before then, including a court order to change how it presents timelines on its platforms in the Netherlands.
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, WhatsApp's growth and increasing influence in Europe will likely be subject to closer scrutiny by EU regulators.
Just kidding! So, WhatsApp is getting the old EU treatment now, huh? Like they're putting on a show and we get to watch them try to stay out of trouble 
. Seriously though, it's no surprise they'd crack down – all that social media-y stuff can be a recipe for disaster if you ask me... or at least, that's what my grandma keeps telling me 
This is like when the US government regulates big tech companies - you gotta wonder if Meta's making a power play or if they're just trying to get ahead of the game 
But seriously, it's about time we have stricter rules in place to keep our online spaces safe and fair 
WhatsApp's Channels feature sounds suspiciously like Facebook's Groups, right? Why should one platform be allowed to do what others aren't? 
This is a classic case of EU regulators trying to level the playing field 
Maybe it'll lead to more accountability and transparency, but we've seen this before... will it stick this time? 
The European Commission needs to keep an eye on this and make sure WhatsApp doesn't become too similar to other platforms. We don't need another Facebook! 
. Like, what's next? Are they gonna introduce Stories and Reels too? That'd be a total game-changer for the app 
. And with Meta already getting fined for DSA-related issues, I'm not sure if they're fully prepared to handle this new scrutiny 
The channels feature has been a game-changer for them, but now they gotta answer to the DSA. I mean, 45 million users in the EU is no joke! 
Let's keep an eye on this drama unfold! #WhatsAppRegulation #DSA #DigitalServicesAct
51.7m EU users isn't that many, but apparently, it's enough to set off the EU's regulatory radar 
Six percent fine? That's a serious slap on the wrist 
Still waiting for them to crack down on real issues like misinformation & hate speech 