Waze Reaches Big Platform Status Under EU Regulations, Porn Sites Potentially Out Of Register
JAKARTA Alphabet's mapping application, Waze, now has to step up its efforts in dealing with illegal content after reaching a significant number of users based on EU technology regulations. Meanwhile, three adult content sites are likely to be removed from the list of large platforms once their number of users drops below the threshold.
Based on the Digital Services Act (DSA) which took effect last year, online platforms with more than 45 million average monthly users in the European Union are categorized as the Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) and must comply with stricter regulations.
A spokesman for the European Commission, Thomas Regnier, confirmed that Waze had reported the number of users who exceeded the DSA threshold to be designated as VLOP.
"We recognize that Waze has published the number of users above the DSA threshold for determining the Very Large Online Platform," Regnier said in an official email.
In a document submitted by Google on February 14, 2025, it was revealed that Waze has 50.5 million monthly users on average from July to December 2024.
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Mature Sites Potentially Out Of VLOP List
Meanwhile, adult content firm Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos, previously on the VLOP list in December 2023, reported a decrease in user numbers in the second half of last year.
"For the three pornography platforms you mean, I can confirm that revocation of status can be carried out under the DSA if the platform is below the threshold. However, general obligations in DSA remain in effect," said Regnier.
Pornhub reported having 26.6 million average monthly users in the European Union as of January 1, 2025, while Stripchat recorded the same number as of August 1, 2024.
The European Commission is expected to issue a decision regarding VLOP status within about two months, after verifying the number of users of each platform. Violations of DSA regulations could lead to fines of up to 6% of the company's annual global revenue.