Disinformation Code Adopted into EU’s Digital Services Act
The Commission and the European Board for Digital Services have officially endorsed incorporating the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the Digital Services Act (DSA) framework. This integration establishes the Code as a benchmark for assessing platforms’ compliance with the DSA. In January 2025, signatories, including major platforms like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok, submitted documentation to convert the Code into a DSA Code of Conduct. The Commission and the Board’s assessments confirmed the Code’s alignment with DSA criteria, reinforcing its role in mitigating risks associated with disinformation.
The Code of Conduct on Disinformation is a comprehensive set of commitments aimed at combating disinformation while preserving free speech and transparency. It addresses key areas such as demonetization, transparency of political advertising, integrity of services, and empowerment of users, researchers, and fact-checkers. By cutting financial incentives for disinformation purveyors and enhancing political ad labeling, the Code seeks to reduce the spread of disinformation through fake accounts and manipulative practices.
To ensure effective implementation, the Commission and the European Board for Digital Services recommend that signatories finalize the Rapid Response System for national elections and crises. Furthermore, they should engage in swift Taskforce discussions and provide necessary data to improve reporting and develop structural indicators. The Code’s conversion will take effect on July 1, 2025, aligning its auditing with the DSA audit for Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines.
The Code’s evolution began in 2018 as a voluntary initiative among online platforms and advertising industry leaders. Strengthened in 2022, it now includes 42 signatories and a Permanent Taskforce, facilitating collaboration and information exchange. The Rapid Response System has proven effective during European elections, allowing civil society, fact-checkers, and platforms to address time-sensitive content threatening electoral integrity.
