Politis

DSA: 30% of Content Moderation Decisions Overturned in EU – How the Landscape is Changing for Social Media

Published February 17, 2026, 17:18
DSA: 30% of Content Moderation Decisions Overturned in EU – How the Landscape is Changing for Social Media

The European Commission announced significant results from the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) over the past two years. Nearly 50 million decisions by online platforms affecting user content or accounts in the EU have been overturned, giving users greater control and increasing platform accountability. Users challenged 165 million decisions, with 30% of these being reversed through the platforms' internal mechanisms. A large proportion of content moderation decisions, specifically 99% in the first half of 2025, relate to the enforcement of platform terms and conditions rather than the removal of illegal content. This suggests that the DSA focuses on protecting users from content violating platform rules, rather than directly addressing illegal activities. Furthermore, out-of-court dispute resolution bodies have examined over 1,800 cases concerning content on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, overturning platform decisions in 52% of completed cases. This provides a faster and more cost-effective alternative to judicial remedies. The DSA has also led to changes regarding user safety and well-being, such as the ban on targeted advertising to minors and the obligation of online marketplaces to restrict the distribution of illegal products. Simultaneously, it provides researchers and civil society with access to information about platform content management practices, enhancing transparency and accountability.