The first round of independent audits under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) has revealed widespread non-compliance among major online platforms. Out of 19 platforms evaluated, only Wikipedia met all requirements.

Key Findings

The audits uncovered failures across three critical areas: transparency in content moderation, accountability for algorithmic recommendation systems, and child safety protections. Amazon could not adequately explain how its product recommendation algorithms work. TikTok's emergency response team was found to lack sufficient training. X (formerly Twitter) was flagged for inadequate age verification mechanisms.

What the DSA Requires

The DSA mandates independent audits for platforms serving more than 45 million users within the EU. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue, making this regulation one of the most consequential pieces of digital legislation in European history.

Implications for the Industry

The audit results paint a troubling picture of accountability gaps, particularly around child safety and age verification. The European Commission now has the authority to use these findings to enforce corrective actions. For businesses operating large platforms in Europe, achieving DSA compliance is no longer optional -- it is an urgent operational priority.