EU Commission issues guidelines for addressing digital risks to elections

The European Commission issued guidelines on Tuesday (26 March) under the Digital Services Act, outlining measures to mitigate against risks that could impact election integrity digitally.

The European Parliament elections are approaching in June, and ten European countries are gearing up for presidential and parliamentary elections this year.

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which entered into force on 17 February, is a horizontal legislation regulating how online actors should deal with illegal and harmful content online.

Last year, the EU executive announced the first batch of very large online platforms (VLOPs), and very large search engines (VLOSEs), which have been updated since then. The lists include platforms such as social media networks Instagram and TikTok, search engines, such as Google Search and Bing, and retailers like AliExpress and Zalando.

Social media platforms, for example, which are included on the lists, can influence elections, such as through AI-generated content like deepfakes, or the spreading of disinformation.

The Commission now issued its guidelines for the designated VLOPs and VLOSEs, recommending mitigation measures and best practices to be implemented before, during, and after electoral events.

Platforms not complying must demonstrate equivalent effectiveness. The Commission plans a stress test at the end of April.

Risk assessment