The digital landscape is currently navigating a period of unprecedented transformation, marked by the rapid integration of advanced technologies that reshape how we interact, consume information, and perceive reality. To address the complexities emerging from this shift, Fundación Maldita.es has played a pivotal role in the second annual report concerning the systemic risks embedded within the world’s most influential online platforms and search engines. Spearheaded by the European Board for Digital Services alongside the European Commission, this initiative is a cornerstone of the Digital Services Act (DSA)—a framework designed to ensure that the internet isn’t merely a Wild West of unchecked growth, but a safer, more accountable space for all citizens. By analyzing the period between February 2025 and 2026, this collaborative effort seeks to hold tech giants responsible for the real-world consequences of their design choices and operational policies.
The core of this investigation lies in the mandate that very large online platforms (VLOPs) and search engines (VLOSEs) must identify and mitigate risks that are inherent to their platforms. It is no longer acceptable for these companies to ignore the shadows cast by their own algorithms. The report emphasizes that mitigation strategies must be bespoke, proportionate, and genuinely effective rather than merely performative. By scrutinizing how these services operate, regulators aim to force a shift in business models that prioritize user safety over raw engagement metrics. Fundación Maldita.es has contributed crucial evidence to this report, leveraging their deep expertise in fact-checking and media literacy to highlight where current safety protocols are failing and where systemic vulnerabilities remain dangerously exposed.
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted is the double-edged sword of Generative AI. While these tools offer incredible creative potential, they are also being weaponized to manufacture disinformation with terrifying speed and sophistication. We are seeing a surge in coordinated campaigns that use AI to make fabrications appear indistinguishable from reality, eroding the public’s trust in democratic institutions and factual discourse. More disturbingly, these technologies are being exploited to produce harmful content, including material that sexualizes children—a profound violation of safety standards that platforms are struggling to contain. Despite sophisticated monitoring tools, platforms like TikTok and Facebook remain battlegrounds where illegal content persists, often slipping through the cracks of automated moderation systems.
Beyond the content itself, the report pulls back the curtain on how financial structures and recommendation engines actively incentivize harm. Many platforms offer “creator programs” or monetization schemes that inadvertently turn viral, controversial, or outright false content into a source of income. When a system rewards engagement above all else, it inevitably pushes sensationalist lies to the top of our feeds. This was starkly evident during recent natural catastrophes, such as the DANA floods, where recommendation algorithms prioritized inflammatory disinformation over verified, life-saving information. Furthermore, these platforms’ advertising systems allow actors to target this harmful content toward vulnerable audiences, effectively enabling those behind the disinformation to profit from the very toxicity that threatens social cohesion.
Another structural failure identified is the inconsistency in content moderation, which creates a “whack-a-mole” dynamic. Even when harmful content is reported and theoretically removed, it often lingers, circulates, or finds a new home because of fragmented enforcement. Fundación Maldita.es advocates for a more context-rich approach to moderation. Rather than simply hiding or deleting posts, which can lead to accusations of censorship, the report underscores the importance of “pre-bunking” and providing context alongside questionable material. By integrating verified, fact-checked information directly into the user experience—whether through partnerships with nonprofit organizations or community-led annotation tools—platforms can “inoculate” users against manipulation, providing them with the necessary tools to discern truth from sophisticated falsehoods.
Ultimately, we must recognize that the internet is a deeply interconnected ecosystem where a failure on one platform inevitably ripples across the digital map. Disinformation rarely stays contained within the walls of a single app; it flows across borders and platforms, often with the labels and warnings stripped away as it migrates. The lack of interoperability, where a warning tag on one site vanishes when a video is moved to another, remains a massive loophole. While the DSA is a vital step toward accountability, it requires collective vigilance and a move away from the “siloed” mentality of tech giants. By identifying these shared risks and pushing for standardized, robust, and transparent safety measures, we can move closer to a digital future that respects the truth and protects its most vulnerable users.