EU lawmakers demand platform data on social media's role in recent protests

Hundreds of thousands of high-school and university students have taken to the streets in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and other European nations, with some demonstrations turning violent. In response, more than 30 MEPs co-signed a letter drafted by Stephanie Yon-Courtin and addressed to EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, asking Brussels to invoke its Digital Services Act rules to compel social-media firms to disclose how their services may have been used to organize or amplify the protests.

The letter stresses the need to understand the role of calls to gather, live-streamed footage, and algorithmic recommendation systems, as well as any revenue generated from such content. It also urges the EU to trigger the DSA’s “crisis” provisions, which could permit proportionate actions, including the possible suspension of services as a last resort. Protecting minors, who are deemed most exposed to this online contagion, was highlighted as a priority. The European Commission acknowledged receiving the request and reiterated that national authorities already possess the authority under the DSA to seek platform data, while the Commission stands ready to support if a systemic issue is identified.