The DSA (Digital Services Act) whistleblower tool allows employees and other insiders to report harmful practices of Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPs/VLOSEs)
Securing the Digital Space: DSA Whistleblower Tool
The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to shape a safer and fairer online environment. It addresses issues such as illegal content, hate speech, and disinformation, while promoting transparency, accountability, in the EU's digital market. The regulation empowers users to challenge content moderation decisions, ensures access to key data for authorities and researchers, and it obliges very large online platforms (VLOPs) and search engines (VLOSEs) (which have more than 45 million users in the EU) to assess and mitigate systemic online risks.
The DSA Whistleblower Tool allows individuals with inside information to contribute towards creating a safer digital environment. It enables anonymous, or attributed, submissions of insights in any EU Official language. With encrypted data protection and adherence to legal frameworks, it offers a secure avenue for reporting harmful practices by VLOPs and VLOSEs.
We appreciate your willingness to provide information, whether in the form of reports, memos, email exchanges, data metrics, internal research, decisions, or any relevant context, spanning past, present, or future. We welcome contributions in any EU 24 official languages. Please visit the DSA Whistleblower Tool.
Your contribution matters, as it paves the way for a safer and more transparent online environment accessible to all.
If your information pertains to anti-competitive practices by “gatekeeper” platforms, which may constitute violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), you may submit it through the respective DMA whistleblower tool.
If your information relates to a complaint about individual content moderation decisions taken by the providers of online platforms, please note that the European Commission can only address systemic issues and it cannot intervene in individual content moderation disputes.
What Can Be Reported?
You can report any internal intelligence about the practices of VLOPs or VLOSEs that violate the obligations set forth in the Digital Services Act. This includes but is not limited to:
- Content moderation practices
- Functioning of recommender systems
- Advertising practices
- Assessment and mitigation of risks related to users' fundamental rights
- Public security and health concerns
- Civic discourse and electoral processes
- Protection of children's rights
Guarantees of Anonymity and Data Protection
The DSA whistleblower tool operates within the legal framework established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, ensuring that your data is processed lawfully and with due regard for your privacy rights.
We understand the importance of anonymity and data protection for whistleblowers. Rest assured, your data is encrypted both in transit and at rest to safeguard your identity and information. For further details on anonymity guarantees and data protection, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Background
The Commission actively enforces the DSA, collaborating with national authorities. The enforcement process involves several steps. It begins with the Commission conducting investigations based on information obtained or received from reliable sources, which may lead to the suspicion of infringement. If warranted, the Commission can open an investigation, using tools such as requests for information, interviews, and inspections.
If breaches to the DSA are verified, proceedings are opened, allowing VLOPs/VLOSEs to be heard. Non-compliance decisions can result in fines up to 6% of global turnover.
Related Content
Big Picture
The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act aim to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and to establish a level playing field for businesses.
See Also
Under DSA, trusted flaggers are responsible for detecting potentially illegal content and alert online platforms. They are entities designated by the national Digital Services Coordinators.
The European Board for Digital Services is an independent advisory group that has been established by the Digital Services Act, with effect from 17 February 2024.
Digital Services Coordinators help the Commission to monitor and enforce obligations in the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The Digital Services Act (DSA) details a range of actions to promote transparency and accountability of online services, without hindering innovation and competitiveness.
This page provides an overview of the designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) supervised by the Commission and the main enforcement activities.
Since August 2023, platforms have already started to change their systems and interfaces according to the Digital Services Act (DSA) to provide a safer online experience for all.
The enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) includes a full set of investigative and sanctioning measures that can be taken by national authorities and the Commission.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) provides a framework for cooperation between the Commission, EU and national authorities to ensure platforms meet its obligations.
Very large online platforms and search engines are those with over 45 million users in the EU. They must comply with the most stringent rules of the DSA.
Find out how the DSA can make the online world safer and protect your fundamental rights.
The European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT) is committed to improved understanding and proper regulation of algorithmic systems.