The 2022 Digital Services Act (DSA) establishes a new comprehensive regulatory framework for online platforms in the EU. It reserves the most extensive obligations for ‘very large online platforms’ (VLOPs) and ‘very large search engines’ (VLSE’s). VLOP’s and VLSE’s are obliged to assess and evaluate ‘systemic risks’ in specified areas (e.g. fundamental rights, polarisation, public health and security); reasonably and proportionately mitigate these risks; and report to the Commission on their mitigation measures. 

Importantly, the DSA positions academic researchers in the center of this new governance effort. Article 40 introduces mechanisms for vetted researchers to access platforms’ internal data for the sole purpose of conducting research that contributes to the detection, identification and understanding of systemic risks in the Union’. Academic researchers and civil society organisations will thus play an essential role in identifying and defining systemic risks associated with social media, as well as holding VLOPs accountable for effectively mitigating them. 

This project, funded by Project Liberty and housed at Sciences Po Law School, brings together a team of researchers from Sciences Po’s Law School and Médialab to be a central part of that effort. The project aims to monitor and critically evaluate how the systemic risk framework is being implemented, and to position itself as a key resource for regulators implementing and enforcing the DSA. It will provide actionable guidance and resources for regulators, civil society and researchers on how to utilize this framework to strengthen the governance of online media platforms. 

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