CDT Europe and EU DisinfoLab recently held a webinar to discuss Article 22 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), focusing on the role of trusted flaggers. The event aimed to build understanding among civil society organizations (CSOs) and ensure that the trusted flagger system remains transparent, effective, and inclusive.
The DSA introduces a new regulatory framework for digital platforms in the EU, imposing due diligence obligations based on platform size and impact. Article 22 highlights 'trusted flaggers,' entities with expertise in identifying illegal content. These flaggers receive priority processing for their reports to enhance content removal while protecting freedom of expression.
The webinar addressed several challenges faced by CSOs seeking trusted flagger status. Resource constraints were identified as a significant issue, with the certification process requiring extensive documentation. Misinformation campaigns have also targeted trusted flaggers, portraying them as "censorship machines." This has led to public skepticism about their role.
Despite these hurdles, only 15 trusted flaggers have been certified so far. Participants cited burdensome certification requirements and uncertainty about benefits as barriers to wider participation.
Opportunities within the DSA's framework include formalized relationships between CSOs and online platforms, which could lead to more consistent content moderation practices. Priority processing allows for quicker action against illegal content, crucial in cases like image-based abuse. Trusted flagger certification also enables cross-border operations within the EU and serves as recognition of an organization's expertise.
Key recommendations from the seminar included sustainable funding for CSOs to manage increased workloads associated with trusted flagger status. A proactive communication strategy is necessary to counter misinformation campaigns effectively. The creation of a working group was suggested to facilitate collaboration among Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs), trusted flaggers, and applicants.
The European Commission announced upcoming guidelines for Article 22 during the seminar but emphasized that DSCs must clarify application processes further.
In conclusion, while challenges remain, addressing these issues could make the trusted flagger mechanism a cornerstone of effective content moderation across the EU's digital landscape.
