MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The case of Telegram and the methodology for determining VLOPs under the DSA – E-001293/2025

Question for written answer  E-001293/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D)

Telegram is not classified as a very large online platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act[1] (DSA), despite independent research suggesting that it has more than 45 million users in the EU – a user threshold that means it should be designated as a VLOP. Official figures report fewer than 45 million EU users, but given Telegram’s significant role in online discourse and its widespread use, concerns have arisen about the accuracy of these figures.

• 1.Could the Commission clarify the methodology used to determine the size of Telegram’s EU user base, and explain why it has not been designated as a VLOP?
• 2.If further evidence indicates that Telegram’s EU users exceed the 45 million user threshold, what steps will be taken to reassess its classification?
• 3.Given the implications for platform accountability and regulatory oversight, how does the Commission ensure that platforms operating at a similar scale are treated consistently under the DSA?

Submitted: 27.3.2025

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services, OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj.