Two years of Digital Services Act allows 50 million content moderation decisions by platforms to be reversed

The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) is significantly empowering users and increasing platform accountability two years after its implementation. This landmark legislation has led to nearly 50 million content moderation decisions being reversed by online platforms, demonstrating a tangible shift in how user-generated content is managed within the EU. The DSA’s framework ensures users can exercise their rights, fostering a more transparent and user-centric online environment. Key to the DSA's impact is the right it grants users to challenge platform decisions that affect their content or accounts, such as deletion or suspension. Out of 165 million appealed moderation decisions, 30% have been overturned through internal platform mechanisms. Furthermore, data from the first half of 2025 indicates that the vast majority of moderation actions (99%) were related to enforcing platform terms of service, rather than removing content flagged as illegal under EU law, highlighting a more nuanced application of content policies. The DSA's influence extends to dispute resolution, with out-of-court settlement bodies reviewing over 1,800 cases in early 2025. These bodies successfully overturned platform decisions in 52% of resolved disputes for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, providing faster and more cost-effective redress. Beyond content moderation, the DSA has introduced protections such as prohibiting targeted advertising to minors and enhancing online marketplace safety by combating illegal goods and improving consumer traceability and redress options. This legislation also grants researchers and civil society unprecedented access to platform data, enabling greater scrutiny and accountability.