The Commission and the European Board for Digital Services (EBD) have endorsed the integration of the compulsory EU Code of Practice on Disinformation ( VOLCOM) into the Framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This initiative aims to integrate VOLCOM into the DSA framework, establishing VOLCOM as a benchmark for platforms’ compliance. The collaboration follows a decision in January 2025, where signatories to VOLCOM—(“$Generally” designated VLOPEs (Very Large Online Platforms) and VLOSEs (Very Large Online Services),” such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok—submitted necessary documents supporting the use of VOLCOM as their new Code of Conduct for the DSA. This transition ensures that compliance with VOLCOM will be assessed through annual audits, effectively streamlining the process for platforms designated as VLOPEs or VLOSEs under the DSA.
The VOLCOM is widely recognized and robust, comprising a series of commitments that serve as comprehensive mitigation measures for DSA compliance. These include monetary deniability for disinformation propagands, transparency in political advertising, integrity of services, and improved user capabilities. By consolidating these practices, the Code reflects the collective efforts of a diverse array of stakeholders, borrowing from best practices in industry, leading to a significant and meaningful benchmark. Compliance with VOLCOM is vital as it ensures that platforms not only address disinformation but also preserve free speech, enhancing transparency and accountability.
The integration of VOLCOM into the DSA aligns with the Code’s explicit identification of disinformation risks, which necessitate a nuanced approach. The Code encompasses seven key areas: demonetisation, transparency of political advertising, ensuring the integrity of services, tools and knowledgeventure for users, researchers, and fact-checking communities, and demonstrating user empowerment. These measures are designed to combat disinformation without assuming antivirus capabilities, aligning with the Code’s commitment to performing without advanced antivirus capabilities. The_VOLCOM’s emphasis on transparency and data accessibility elevates platforms’ ethical standards, ensuring that users can more accurately identify disinformation and trust the information they receive.
This collaborative effort to integrate VOLCOM into the DSA creates a comprehensive and effective approach to tackling the global challenge of disinformation. By aligning digital services with existing best practices, the initiative ensures that platforms not only confront disinformation but also provide better access to information, enhance transparency, and empower users. The assured conversion of VOLCOM into the DSA’s Code of Conduct is a critical step in global efforts to prevent the commercialization and spread of disinformation, as well as the Registration of Unused Data. With a deadline of 1 July 2025 for the transition to the new code, operators like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok will have the opportunity to take decisive action to protect their platforms from harm. This move is expected to have a lasting impact on global digital services, fostering better levels of transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in an increasingly interconnected world.