A PYMNTS Company

Big Tech Faces Dutch Scrutiny Under EU Digital Services Act Before Vote

By  |  August 13, 2025

The Netherlands’ competition watchdog will convene a meeting on September 15 with 12 prominent online platforms — including TikTok, Facebook, and X — to address the spread of disinformation ahead of the country’s October 29 elections.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    According to a statement from the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the talks will bring together representatives from the European Commission, other national regulators, and non-governmental organizations. The ACM, which enforces the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in the Netherlands, is also tasked with monitoring elections under the law. The early election was called after the Dutch government collapsed in June over disagreements on migration policy, less than a year into its term.

    The regulator stressed that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the DSA are required to maintain “transparent and diligent policies” for managing platform content and to take effective action against illegal material. Per a statement from ACM director Manon Leijten, such measures are central to ensuring compliance with EU regulations.

    Related: US Tech Firms Gain Ground in Brazil Amid High-Stakes Trade Fight

    Under guidelines issued by the European Commission, national digital services coordinators like the ACM may hold pre-election roundtables to review how major platforms are addressing systemic risks, including the manipulation of public discourse.

    The ACM noted that it had contacted the platforms on July 21 to outline their legal responsibilities, request contact details for their Trust and Safety teams, and seek responses to a questionnaire on measures to protect public debate. According to the statement, the September session aims to provide a “clear picture” of how companies intend to counter disinformation, foreign interference, and illegal hate speech in the weeks before voters head to the polls.

    Source: Euractiv