DSA – Fixing Recommender Systems – Briefing for the European Commission

From August 25th 2023 Europe’s new Digital Services Act (DSA) rules kick in for the world’s largest digital platforms. For “Very Large Online Platforms” (VLOPs) and “Very Large Online Search Engines” (VLOSEs) there will be many new requirements. Among others: the responsibility to assess and mitigate against “systemic risks” in the design and implementation of their products and services. One of the major areas where platform design decisions contribute to “systemic risks” is through their recommender systems.

epicenter.works supports this briefing for the European Commission including a framework to tackle toxic recommender systems. This is to ensure that the Commission’s risk assessments are as robust and meaningful as possible. Safeguarding the democratic debate is crucial – especially before major European elections.