Everything seems to indicate that another goal application will face greater control by the European Union (EU). This is because WhatsApp already brings together the conditions to be designated a very large online platform (Vlop), A status that Facebook and Instagram have since April 2023.
What are the Vlop? The Digital Services Law, that entered into force about two years agoclassify search platforms or engines with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU as Vlop. Consequently, important platforms for European users such as Amazon Store, Booking, Tiktok or YouTube are included in this category, but not WhatsApp.
Why is WhatsApp now a Vlop and was not at first? While the finishing messaging service had more than 2,000 million users globally And more than 100 million users in the EUit did not enter the Vlop category. Now, A function introduced at the end of 2023 He has made things change. We are talking about the channels, which are comparable to a social network.
The number of users of WhatsApp channels has been growing steadily since its launch in the EU and is currently estimated at 46.8 million. We know this because all the platforms that operate in the community block are obliged to make public this information at least twice a year, and goal has complied with the current legislation by publishing A document recently.
The growth of the channels, those that we find in the News of the application and that we use to follow the media or public figures, has not gone unnoticed in Brussels. “WhatsApp has published user numbers above the threshold for designation as a very large online platform under the Digital Services Law,” said Thomas Regnier, spokesman for the commission, In a statement to Bloomberg.
Vlop platforms have to face more responsibilities. The commission itself indicates that the platforms that have been designated as Vlop must comply with “the strictest standards of the DSA”. These obligations include the realization of risk assessments on the dissemination of illegal or harmful content and the implementation of strategies to mitigate these risks.
In addition, they must be audited by an independent auditor at least once a year and act according to the recommendations you receive. To guarantee adequate supervision, the platforms must share their data with the commission and the national authorities, which will allow to evaluate whether they comply with the standard. They must also give access to researchers so that they can study the platform data.
Waiting for formal designation. Meta now meets Vlop’s criteria, but its formal designation has not yet occurred. Once the commission of this step, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg will have four months to meet the new obligations that emerge from the DSA. If an infraction is confirmed to this strict European regulatory framework, fines can reach up to 6% of the firm’s annual billing.
The regulatory ambition of the EU has been criticized both by US technological giants and the new White House administration. Tim Cook already complained with Trump Before his election, to which the then candidate replied that he would not allow abuse against US companies. Amazon, meanwhile, has rejected his designation as Vlop. In parallel, We are witnessing an unusual turn in the regulatory policy of the block.
Images | Christian Lue | Goal | European Commission
In Xataka | The battle between LaLiga and Cloudflare is charging many victims. Now those victims are joining strength
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings