Governing the ‘Governors’ of online speech: a review of the Digital Services Act’s first steps in regulating social media platforms

Abstract The Digital Services Act (DSA) introduces a comprehensive set of rules regulating very large online social media platforms, which have been aptly described as the new governors of speech. This contribution examines the why and the how of social media regulation under the DSA, drawing insights from the first steps of its implementation. It argues that, contrary to the portrayal of the DSA as a tool for censorship by high-ranking US officials, the Regulation actually protects freedom of expression online by establishing a new model of governance for social media platforms. This model is built around three key objectives: fostering knowledge and resilience through risk management; enhancing fairness in and of content moderation practices; and embedding social media companies into a structured system of oversight. Whether these goals will be realized and whether they can serve as a North Star for regulators in other parts of the world remains to be seen.