JAKARTA - The European Commission plans to impose strict online content rules on WhatsApp, Meta's messaging platform. This step was taken because one of the features in it, namely Channel.
Channels are considered to have exceeded the user threshold set in the Digital Services Act (DSA). Data also shows that the number of monthly active users of Channels reaches 51.7 million in the EU.
This figure exceeds the minimum limit that DSA set for the establishment of large online platforms, namely 45 million. Based on DSA rules, platforms that fall into this category are required to take more decisive action in handling illegal and dangerous content.
"The Commission is actively investigating it and I will not rule out a decision in the future," said European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier, quoted by Reuters on Saturday, January 10.
Authorities are currently examining the differences between the private messaging function and public channels in the application. Given that the channel is open, this feature is equated with social media in general so that higher security standards need to be set.
If proven to violate the DSA provisions, Meta is threatened with a very large fine of up to 6 percent of global annual revenue. Until this news was made, WhatsApp has not given an official response regarding the potential establishment of the new rules.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
