Trusted flaggers under the Digital Services Act (DSA)

Trusted flaggers are special entities under the DSA. They are experts at detecting certain types of illegal content online, such as hate speech or terrorist content, and notifying it to the online platforms. The notices submitted by them must be treated with priority as they are expected to be more accurate than notices submitted by an average user. Trusted flaggers only notify providers of online platforms of content they consider to be illegal. Providers have the sole responsibility to decide upon notices and, where justified, removing content.

Trusted flaggers form a crucial part of the DSA's strategy to tackle illegal content online. This system builds on years of voluntary cooperation between online platforms and trusted partners. The DSA has now introduced harmonized criteria to become a trusted flagger, helping to boost online safety and protect users’ rights across the EU.

The trusted flagger mechanism under the DSA does not prevent individuals or private entities from collaborating with online platforms voluntarily. The DSA sets out the legal obligation for platforms to treat notices by the designated ‘DSA trusted flaggers’ with priority, without prejudice to continued or new voluntary schemes. The DSA encourages cooperation while providing a structured framework to tackle illegal content.

The Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) of the Member State of establishment of the applicant entity awards the trusted flagger status. DSCs oversee the application process, ensuring entities meet the following criteria:

• Expertise and competence: trusted flaggers must demonstrate particular expertise and competence in detecting, identifying, and notifying illegal content online.
• Independence: trusted flaggers must operate independently from any online platform providers to ensure that their assessments are unbiased.
• Diligence, accuracy, and objectivity: trusted flaggers must work diligently, accurately, and objectively, following established standards and procedures.

Only EU-based entities can apply for trusted flagger status. This ensures that trusted flaggers operate within the regulatory framework of the EU, contributing to a harmonized approach in tackling illegal content online. The trusted flagger status is valid across the EU, vis-a-vis any online platform within the scope of Article 22 DSA, regardless of the places of establishment.

Trusted flaggers must publish easily understandable and detailed annual reports. These must include information on notices submitted, the types of illegal content reported, and the actions taken by the online platforms.

Interested in becoming a trusted flagger? Check your national DSC and keep an eye on developments in your country for more information on the application process.

The Commission is preparing guidelines on trusted flaggers that will assist DSCs by streamlining the process of appointing trusted flaggers. The guidelines will also provide guidance on how online platforms should handle trusted flaggers that misuse their status and how their status can be revoked by DSCs. The "Have your say" public consultation is planned to be launched in the second quarter of 2025, with adoption planned before the end of 2025.

The Commission is tasked to publish, on the basis of notifications received from national DSCs, up-to-date information on the entities that have been awarded the status of trusted flagger across the EU.