The European Union is setting its sights on Telegram, the popular messaging app, to subject it to the same regulations as giants like WhatsApp and Google, as stipulated in the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This initiative is based on the concern of some European lawmakers that Telegram should be considered a ‘gatekeeper’.
Telegram in the sights of the European Commission
For a platform to be considered a gatekeeper, it must have at least 45 million monthly users in Europe. So far, Telegram has informed the European Commission that it has 41 million users on the continent, a number that, according to some lawmakers, may be underestimated.
The BBC has reported that the European Commission is reviewing Telegram’s user counting methodology, suspecting that the actual figure could exceed the 45 million threshold. If confirmed, Telegram would join the list of platforms that include WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google, thereby obligating them to comply with the strict regulations of the DSA and the DMA.
Exponential growth of Telegram
In April, Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, announced that the app had reached 900 million users worldwide, positioning itself as the sixth most used and downloaded application. If at least 45 million of these users are in the European Union, Telegram would be classified as a gatekeeper, with all the obligations that entails.
Gatekeepers’ obligations
Platforms classified as gatekeepers must comply with a series of regulations imposed by the DSA and the DMA. These include interoperability with other services and mechanisms to curb the spread of misinformation. These regulations aim to ensure greater transparency and security in the European digital ecosystem.
However, some companies have tried to avoid this classification by arguing that they have fewer than 45 million users in Europe. A notable example is Apple, which managed to exclude iMessage from the list of gatekeepers.
Doubts about user counting
The controversy surrounding Telegram arises from the method used to count its users. The app has numerous channels where users can access information without sending messages, which may not have been counted correctly. This discrepancy has led some lawmakers to question the veracity of the figures presented by Telegram.
Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, has been one of the voices calling for a more thorough review. Kallas stated, “We consider Telegram to be a platform large enough to be subject to the same requirements as Facebook, X, and YouTube,” urging the European Commission not to blindly trust the figures provided by Telegram’s management.
Consequences of regulation
If the European Commission determines that Telegram exceeds the 45 million user threshold, the app will have to adhere to the same regulations as other major digital platforms. This would involve opening up its system to interoperability with other services and strengthening its mechanisms against misinformation, among other measures.
The future of Telegram in Europe could be on the brink of drastic change if the European Commission confirms that it surpasses 45 million users on the continent. This decision, based on the veracity of the user figures, would put Telegram under the scrutiny of the DSA and the DMA, aligning it with other major digital players in terms of regulations and obligations.
Source: Xataka Móvil