European Union: Commission and European Board for Digital Services endorsed integration of Disinformation Code into Digital Services Act

On 13 February 2025, the European Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the integration of the Voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The signatories of the Code, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok, which are classified as Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs) under the DSA, submitted the necessary documentation in January 2025 to request the conversion of the Code into a DSA Code of Conduct. The code sets out commitments such as reducing financial incentives for disinformation, ensuring transparency of political advertising, and strengthening fact-checking efforts. The European Commission and the European Board for Digital Services urge signatory platforms to finalise the Rapid Response System, ensure that the Taskforce follows up on commitments, and provide data to improve reporting and measurement for the effective implementation of the Code of Conduct on Disinformation under Article 45 of the DSA. From 1 July 2025, compliance with the Code will be subject to annual audits, aligned with DSA enforcement measures to ensure accountability and risk mitigation.