digital services act2 articles
EU Researchers Say Big Tech Is Running Out the Clock on Platform Transparency
European researchers studying disinformation on social media platforms are struggling to access data despite being legally entitled to it under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), with platforms like X and TikTok imposing technical barriers, narrow eligibility criteria, and burdensome security requirements. The issue is highlighted by the case of Romanian researcher Adriana Iamnitchi, whose DSA data request to TikTok was denied before the 2024 Romanian election, potentially preventing her from identifying coordinated networks that promoted far-right candidate Calin Georgescu — who went on to win the first round with 23% of the vote. While the EU has taken some enforcement action, including fining X €120 million, researchers remain cautious about whether recent regulatory changes will meaningfully improve access in practice.
EU hits AliExpress with €550m DSA fine for failing to stop illegal goods
The European Commission has fined AliExpress €550 million — the largest ever penalty under the Digital Services Act — for failing to adequately prevent illegal and counterfeit products from being sold on its platform. The Commission found multiple failings, including ineffective illegal product detection, poor enforcement of trader penalties, and inadequate assessment of how its recommendation systems spread dodgy goods. The fine, significantly below the maximum possible penalty of nearly $9 billion, is part of broader European efforts to regulate cheap Chinese e-commerce platforms alongside newly introduced customs fees targeting low-cost imports.