On January 20, 2025, the Luxembourg competition authority confirmed the successful integration of the revised code of conduct, known as Code of Conduct +, into the regulatory framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This integration follows a favorable assessment by the European Commission and the European Committee on Digital Services.

The Code of Conduct + was signed by major online platforms including Dailymotion, Facebook, Instagram, Jeuxvideo.com, LinkedIn, Microsoft’s consumer services, Snapchat, Rakuten Viber, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube. Building on a previous code adopted in 2016, the new code aims to enhance the prevention and combatting of illegal hate speech online, ensuring that platforms effectively manage content deemed illegal under EU law and member state legislation.

Compliance with the Code of Conduct + is viewed as a suitable risk mitigation measure for designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Search Engines (VLOSEs). The European Commission and the Committee have highlighted several recommendations for signatories to consider during implementation, including providing information on the outcomes of actions taken against hate speech, presenting national data categorized by types of hate speech, and engaging with experts and civil society.

The European Commission and the Committee will monitor and evaluate the achievement of the objectives outlined in the Code of Conduct +, facilitating regular reviews. The Luxembourg competition authority, acting as the coordinator for digital services, is actively involved in these activities.

Codes of conduct, as stipulated in Article 45 of the Digital Services Act, assist VLOPs and VLOSEs in properly implementing the DSA by adopting commitments for specific risk mitigation measures and establishing a framework for regular reporting on actions taken and their results. Additionally, these codes serve as a forum for exchange among platforms of various sizes, civil society organizations, researchers, and other stakeholders, holding signatories accountable for their commitments.