On Feb. 13, EC endorsed Disinformation Code's integration in the DSA.
EC and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the Digital Services Act (DSA).
In Jan. 2025, the Code's signatories, including companies designated under the DSA as Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPEs) supported the conversion.
With the official integration of the Code into the DSA framework adherence to it is an appropriate risk mitigation measure for signatories designated as VLOPs and VLOSEs.
The Code will become a significant and meaningful benchmark for determining DSA compliance and be part of the annual independent audit for platforms subject to DSA.
It includes provisions on demonetization, transparency of political advertising, ensuring the integrity of services, empowering users, researchers, the fact-checking community.
The measures combat disinformation risks while upholding free speech, transparency.
EC and the European Board for Digital Services encourage the signatory platforms to consider recommendations when applying the Code of Conduct on Disinformation.
This includes promptly finalizing the Rapid Response System to cover all national elections and crisis and implementing it effectively; a swift Taskforce discussion.
And concrete follow-up re their commitments in the key areas mentioned above.
Providing all the necessary data to fill the gaps in their reporting and to allow further development and efficient measurement of structural indicators including new ones.
EC and the Board will monitor the achievement of the Code's goals under art 45 DSA.
Effectiveness
Code conversion will take effect from Jul. 1, 2025, making commitments auditable.
This timing will allow a synchronization of the auditing of the Code's commitments with the DSA audit for the relevant providers of VLOPs and VLOSEs.
