Germany’s Federal Network Agency launched four cases against online platforms, following a record number of Digital Services Act (DSA) complaints.
The watchdog reported 842 possible breaches of EU online safety rules in 2024, far surpassing other European regulators’ figures. It referred 87 cases abroad, as many platforms are headquartered outside Germany.
Spain’s competition authority handled just 24 complaints last year, all concerning platforms based in other member states, while Dutch regulators received 256 cases. Belgium’s telecom watchdog registered only 10, most targeting Telegram, which is headquartered there.
The DSA, in force since February 2024, sets strict rules to combat illegal content and products online, with heavy penalties for violations. The European Commission directly oversees platforms with over 45 million monthly users, such as TikTok, Amazon, Facebook, and X.
Investigations into major firms, including Pornhub, Temu, and AliExpress, remain ongoing. Germany has also been actively supporting Commission-led probes, reflecting its prominent role in enforcing the new regulation.
Several countries face criticism for weak enforcement. In May, the Commission took Czechia, Cyprus, Poland, Portugal, and Spain to the EU’s highest court for failing to apply the law correctly.
Spain’s CNMC admitted lacking “all the powers” needed but said it is taking key actions, both nationally and internationally. The Dutch authority also reported technical issues that hinder transferring complaints to other EU counterparts.
The sharp contrast in complaint volumes highlights Germany’s growing influence in shaping Europe’s online safety enforcement and pushing platforms to comply with tough DSA rules.
