More and more complaints about blocked accounts on TikTok

The enforcement of European rules for online platforms is noticeably gaining momentum. Thousands of users are now actively defending themselves against blocked accounts or incomprehensible reporting systems of large tech companies. A look at the current developments.

Rules for the network apply

The European Digital Services Act (DSA) is having its practical effect. The law is intended to create a safe digital environment, protect fundamental rights on the Internet and strengthen user rights compared to large platforms. Users are increasingly no longer accepting decisions made by social network operators, are demanding transparency in the moderation of content and are using new legal complaint options. Last year the Federal Network Agency received more than 2,000 official complaints. According to the submissions, it is often due to insufficient reasons when personal accounts are blocked or posts are deleted.

Those affected also criticize the fact that obviously problematic content remains online despite being reported several times. A structural problem is the user-friendliness of the systems: many reporting routes are so complicated that they represent a hurdle for average users. As the Federal Network Agency As described in their current report, the majority of submissions are directed against very large online platforms (VLOPs). If there are 45 million active users per month, the European Commission classifies a service in this highest risk category. This affects platforms such as Facebook, TikTok or X. Since many of these companies have their European headquarters in Ireland, the German authorities forward numerous cases to the authorities there.

The Irish Digital Services Coordinator acts as a central coordinating body, monitoring compliance and providing access to platform data to selected researchers. This is intended to provide a better understanding of the spread of misinformation or systemic risks. European cooperation is considered important because large providers have been able to take advantage of different national regulations in the past. Infographic Competition Regulation: Who is affected by the Digital Markets Act

National procedures in focus

Despite the European network, the Federal Network Agency also operates within its own area of ​​responsibility. During the reporting period, it initiated 26 national administrative proceedings against intermediary services. The focus is on recurring weak points:

• Incomplete reporting and remediation processes
• Lack of justification for platform decisions
• Deficiencies in internal complaint management
• Insufficient identification of traders

To enforce the law, the system relies on certified helpers from civil society. So-called trusted flaggers, i.e. trustworthy whistleblowers, play a central role in this. Reports from these specialized organizations must be processed preferentially by the platforms, which creates a fast track for particularly critical or illegal content. The appointment of these positions is linked to strict criteria regarding independence and professional expertise.

In addition, additional out-of-court dispute resolution bodies were certified as part of the DSA. They offer users the opportunity to resolve conflicts with platform operators more quickly and cost-effectively without having to immediately go to court. A fair digital environment should be created through the interaction of official control, specialized civil society actors and active users.