DSA Report: How German Users Challenged Internet Giants in 2025

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Johannes Heidelberger, the Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) at the Federal Network Agency, draws a positive balance of his work: With the publication of his 2025 activity report, he emphasizes that the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) has gained momentum in Germany. 2024 was still characterized by personnel buildup and the entry into force of the Digital Services Act (DDG). The first full calendar year of implementation now shows measurable successes for user protection.

According to the report, the coordination office has developed into an effective platform supervision that addresses systemic deficiencies at the digital giants. One pillar of this work is the DSC complaint portal, which experienced a veritable rush in 2025. Compared to the truncated year 2024, in which only 884 entries were recorded, the number of submissions rose to a total of 3321.

Of these, 2033 complaints directly related to possible violations of the DSA – an increase of almost 150 percent compared to the previous year. Citizens primarily criticize the platforms' inadequate justifications for account suspensions or lack of transparency in content removal. Since a large part of these complaints concerns platforms like Meta or Google, which are based in Ireland, the office forwarded 237 cases to the Irish DSC for further processing. In 2024, there were only 83.

Proceedings and Sanctions Against Big Tech

In parallel, the coordinator is taking a tougher stance in his own area of responsibility: in the reporting period, he initiated a total of 26 new national administrative proceedings against intermediary services. By the end of 2024, there had only been four in total. A specific focus of the current investigations lies on the insufficient implementation of Article 16 (Notification and Remedial Actions) and Article 17 (Statement of Reasons for Decisions) of the DSA. In one case, the DSC was able to achieve rapid redress by a service provider correcting its internal complaint processes immediately after the proceedings were initiated.

Another proceeding was directed against an online marketplace that had neglected the traceability of traders, thereby aiming to protect consumers from potentially unsafe products. The fact that regulation also has financial consequences is demonstrated by proceedings at the EU level: In 2025, the DSC was able to provide significant support to the EU Commission here, which resulted in a fine of 120 million euros against Elon Musk's platform X: The EU accuses the platform of misleading verification systems and making data access difficult for researchers.

Civil Society and Research as Control Bodies

In addition to state supervision, the DSC certifies the so-called "Trusted Flaggers". In 2024, only one such "trusted informant," Meldestelle Respect, was certified. In 2025, the number rose to four with the recognition of the Bundesverband Onlinehandel, HateAid, and the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv). These can submit reports on illegal content, which must be processed by the platforms with priority.

The authority also reports a breakthrough in the field of science: the EU data portal was launched in October. The German DSC received the first research application within the first 24 hours of the relevant legal act coming into force. A total of eight requests were received, aiming to investigate systemic risks scientifically such as the spread of disinformation or the protection of minors in social media feeds. This is intended to open up the algorithmic black box for research.

Cooperation as the Key to Success

The DSC operates in a close network. It bundles the expertise of the state media authorities for youth protection, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, and the Federal Centre for Child and Media Protection. The DSC now has a team of around 30 filled positions and a budget of 1.7 million euros for operating expenses.

(wpl)