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EU Considers Applying Tougher Content Rules to WhatsApp Under Digital Services Act

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The European Union is considering making WhatsApp more accountable for tackling illegal and harmful content after the messaging platform crossed a key user threshold under the bloc’s digital regulations, a European Commission spokesperson said on Friday.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, reported about 51.7 million average monthly active users for its WhatsApp Channels service in the European Union during the first six months of 2025. This exceeds the 45 million user threshold set by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), potentially bringing the service under stricter regulatory oversight.

The DSA imposes tougher obligations on so-called “very large online platforms,” requiring them to take stronger action against illegal and harmful content. Platforms already designated under this category include Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Temu and LinkedIn.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the Commission’s focus is on distinguishing between private messaging, which falls outside the scope of the DSA, and public-facing features such as WhatsApp Channels, which function more like social media platforms.

“The objective for the Commission is to check what is actually private messaging, which doesn’t fall under the scope of the DSA, and what are open channels that act more as a social media platform, which do fall under the scope of the DSA,” Regnier told a daily press briefing. He added that the Commission is actively examining the issue and did not rule out formally designating WhatsApp Channels under the DSA.

WhatsApp was not immediately available for comment.
If designated as a very large online platform, WhatsApp could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue for breaches of the DSA.

Malaysia Obtains Court Order Against Telegram Over Harmful Content

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Malaysia’s communications regulator announced on Thursday it has secured a temporary court order against messaging platform Telegram and two specific channels for allegedly spreading content that violates Malaysian law.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it sought the order due to Telegram’s “serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported.” The two targeted Telegram channels, named “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas,” reportedly contained material with the potential to undermine public trust in national institutions and disrupt social harmony.

A Malaysian high court granted an interim injunction to halt the dissemination of the harmful content and prevent its republication. The commission did not specify the exact nature of the content.

Telegram did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The MCMC emphasized that Telegram would be given a fair chance to defend itself in accordance with justice and fundamental rights.

In January, Malaysia enacted a new social media law requiring platforms and messaging services with over 8 million users in the country to obtain licenses or face legal penalties. The law targets rising cybercrime and increasing harmful social media content.

Malaysian authorities classify online gambling, scams, child pornography and grooming, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and royalty as harmful under the law.