WhatsApp Set to Face Stricter Content Moderation Rules in the EU

Meta Platforms Inc.’s messaging service WhatsApp will face stricter rules under the European Union’s content moderation rulebook, as the bloc increases scrutiny of social media.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, plans to designate WhatsApp’s open channels as a “Very Large Online Platform” under the Digital Services Act, meaning it must meet high standards for content moderation and transparency, according to people familiar with the matter. Channels are open feeds affiliated with news organizations or public figures, and comparable to social media.

The commission has sent Meta a letter informing company of the upcoming designation, the ...