16 July 2025
Independence as a Desideratum
A recent report claiming that EU tech regulation has entered the ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. has sparked fears that enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) might be halted altogether. Although the DSA only came into full effect in February 2024, the European Commission’s subsequent enforcement has already showcased conflicts regarding its role as an autonomous political and administrative enforcement body. Considering the potential impact of the DSA on online communication, the Commission’s current role in DSA enforcement raises serious concerns. This calls for a search for alternative models of DSA enforcement. Three options present themselves. Continue reading >>
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14 April 2025
The Premise of Good Faith in Platform Regulation
The DSA has been in force for over a year now. Hardly any other piece of European legislation has recently provoked so many heated debates, is raising so many fundamental questions and has been adopted so quickly. A key mechanism of the DSA is the principle of supervised self-regulation. In light of current geopolitical shifts and the rapid politicization of major online platforms, the DSA operates in a significantly different context – one the European legislator did not fully anticipate. European enforcers must adapt, the legislator should reconsider its approach. Continue reading >>24 March 2025
Regulating Social Media for Teenagers
Calls for social media age restrictions are growing in several EU Member States, aligning with broader discussions in Brussels about protecting consumers against ‘addictive’ online services. Recently, Australia approved a social media ban for those under 16, adding momentum to these debates. However, while such restrictions aim to protect children, defining ‘social media’ presents significant challenges that could make a ban ineffective or even counterproductive. Continue reading >>12 March 2025
Vying for the Scales
One year after the Digital Services Act (DSA) introduced new rules for content moderation, questions remain about their implementation. While platforms must cover the costs of out-of-court dispute resolution, concerns arise over the independence of certified bodies like Appeals Centre Europe (ACE). Despite being accredited by the Irish regulator as independent, ACE has financial and structural ties to Meta, raising questions about its role in the moderation ecosystem. The article examines whether ACE’s certification aligns with the DSA’s independence requirements and what this means for the future of platform accountability in Europe. Continue reading >>
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21 February 2025
Wahlen in der wehrhaften Plattform-Demokratie
Anlässlich der 21. Bundestagswahl unterzogen Deutschland und die EU-Kommission die größten Online-Plattformen einem „Stresstest“ – Ergebnis: Schulnote „ausreichend“. Mittel- und langfristig hat der Digital Services Act das Potenzial, die Integrität von Wahlkampfdiskursen zu schützen. Stand jetzt sieht das leider anders aus. Continue reading >>11 February 2025
Does the EU Have What it Takes to Counter American Plutocratic Power?
Our symposium ‘Musk, Power, and the EU’ has evolved in parallel with the inauguration of the new US administration and has been marked by numerous and unprecedented attacks on the European Union. Amid a flurry of announcements challenging the status quo - often with brutal disregard, even against traditional allies - the European Union, along with the way it exercises power, suddenly appears as the antithesis of the new America. Yet does the EU have what it takes to resist such an expansionist and plutocratic projection of power, which now threatens Europe’s security, lifestyle and overall existence? Continue reading >>
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10 February 2025
The Looming Enforcement Crisis in European Digital Policy
The EU's push for stronger digital laws to protect fundamental rights and democracy faces significant challenges due to fragmented enforcement and overlapping regulatory responsibilities. This fragmentation risks undermining the core principles of the EU legal order. A more coordinated, rule-of-law-centered enforcement framework is needed to address these tensions and ensure effective implementation of digital laws while safeguarding fundamental rights. Continue reading >>
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07 February 2025
Elon Musk, the Systemic Risk
Elon Musk seems to many in Europe to symbolize the dawn of a digital dystopia. I argue, however, that this view may be incorrect in several respects. With the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its new “systemic tools,” the EU has an opportunity to address the technological roots of Musk’s powerful position in the digital sphere. In this context, Musk (potentially) using his platform (or AI) to intentionally influence the access, distribution, and presentation of information is “merely” a manifestation of risks that are already inherent in the systemic position of certain digital services. Continue reading >>
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03 February 2025
Democracy vs. Digital Giants
After Elon Musk's attacks on European politicians, Emmanuel Macron warned of digital tycoons threatening democracy. This post examines how tech giants have evolved from EU allies to political actors shaping policy and public debate. It questions whether current regulations can curb their growing influence while balancing free speech and platform neutrality. Continue reading >>
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21 January 2025