The European Commission has implemented new rules to ensure greater transparency and accountability for digital service providers under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This regulation standardizes reporting for intermediary services, such as platforms and search engines, detailing how content is moderated and how these platforms handle user interactions.
What’s New?
With the new Implementing Regulation, the Commission requires:
- Consistent Transparency Reports: All intermediary service providers must publish clear and comparable information about content moderation practices.
- Specific Reporting Requirements: Depending on the provider type, reports will cover:
- Content removal statistics
- Accuracy of automated moderation tools
- Account terminations
- Information about moderation teams
- Reporting Frequency:
- Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs): Biannual reports
- Other Providers: Annual reports
Additional DSA Transparency Measures
In addition to standardized reporting, the DSA includes:
- Monthly User Count Publication: Platforms must disclose average monthly active users.
- Recommender System Transparency: Details on how content is suggested to users.
- Researcher Data Access: Provides academic researchers access to platform data.
- Enhanced Content Moderation Disclosures: Expanded information on moderation decisions, with updates in the DSA Transparency Database.
Starting July 1, 2025, providers will also need to submit statements of reasons for content moderation actions in line with the updated DSA requirements.
Click here for further information about Regulation standardizing the format, content, and reporting periods for transparency reports under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Source: European Commission
