Strengthening the Digital Public Sphere and Platform Regulation
About this programme
These past few years, the European Union has adopted a series of legal and non-legal measures aimed at fostering a safe, empowering and innovative digital public space for all. In parallel, a growing number of Member States have developed national-level legislation or launched public debates pursuing a similar objective. Driving this push are growing dangers arising from dominant market positions, data protection violations and data manipulations, opaque business processes harming users, or inadequate handling of disinformation and hate speech.
The EU’s Digital Services Act, in particular, imposes a responsibility on digital services providers to detect and rapidly take down illegal or harmful content such as hate speech, child pornography, incentives to self-harm and disinformation. More transparency is also expected from platforms when it comes to their moderation practices, as well as to how they process user data (e.g. how it feeds into their recommender systems).
With these new tools in place, and amid exacerbated geopolitical tensions, Europe stands at a crossroad. Is the toolbox complete or does it need further extension to truly uphold citizen’s fundamental rights in the digital public sphere? Is it clear and coherent? How efficient is it and how to improve compliance? Are the authorities in charge of enforcing this framework, in particular the European Commission and national regulators, well equipped to do so? These are the questions this programme is focusing on.
Against this backdrop, part of the team is currently exploring how to better protect children and their rights in digital environments.
Working on this research Programme
Jessica Galissaire
Senior Policy Researcher Digital Public Sphere
Publications from this research programme
Policy Brief
What DSA codes of conduct for online advertising can achieve
Opportunities and limitations of voluntary action and the need to move beyond it
Dr. Julian Jaursch
December 16, 2024
Perspective
A Look Ahead at EU Digital Regulation: Oversight Structures in the Member States
Dr. Julian Jaursch
June 19, 2024
Perspective
Der Beirat beim deutschen DSC
Über- und Ausblick
Dr. Julian Jaursch
April 17, 2024
Other output on this programme
Article
interface’s Tech Observatory
Our top pick of trends to keep an eye on at the start of this new EU Mandate (2024-2029)
Ernesto Oyarbide-Magaña
December 5, 2024
Article
Deutsche Stellen mit Ansätzen zur Aufsicht von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI)
Dr. Julian Jaursch
August 12, 2024
Article
TikTok's Impact on Consumer Rights: A Closer Look!
Alexander Hohlfeld, Greta Hess, Dr. Anna-Katharina Meßmer, Dr. Martin Degeling
June 7, 2024
Events on this programme
January 2025
Monday
13
19:00 - 20:30
(CET)
Past
Panel Discussion
Plattformregulierung – Was ändert sich mit dem Digital Services Act für Nutzende und Plattformen?
June 2024
Monday
03
15:00 - 16:00
(CEST)
Past
Background Discussion
Background talk with Martin Husovec: The DSA on disinformation – on point or missing the mark?
May 2024
Tuesday
21
14:00 - 17:00
(CEST)
Past
Panel Discussion
Vortrag und Diskussionsrunde zum Datenzugang im Digitale-Dienste-Gesetz der EU