As Euractiv reports, the Digital Services Act (DSA) provides the European Union with the power to temporarily suspend platforms that violate its rules. These measures, however, remain an underutilized yet powerful tool. Far from being a step too far, frequent temporary suspensions are the logical next step to ensure platforms like X comply with regulations. While permanent bans are legally complex, especially within the EU’s framework and the DSA, temporary suspensions, when applied strategically achieve the same core objectives without the complications of a permanent ban.

Brazil’s frequent suspensions of X offer an example of how this tool can be used effectively. When platforms fail to address harmful content, comply with regulations, or ensure user safety, Brazil acts swiftly. These suspensions are not just punitive; they are corrective. They force platforms to take immediate action to regain access to the market, creating an ongoing incentive to comply with local requirements. This approach has already proven its effectiveness. Elon Musk himself has adjusted X’s policies in response to Brazilian suspensions, underscoring the economic and reputational cost of losing access to a major market.

Suspensions are also a public relations nightmare for platforms. When users see a platform as unreliable and subject to frequent downtime due to regulatory non-compliance they lose trust. This erosion of trust drives users to seek alternatives, weakening the platform’s influence and profitability. Europe must seize this dynamic by issuing swift suspensions when violations occur. Protecting European democracy requires decisive action to ensure that disinformation and harmful content do not undermine public trust or disrupt democratic processes.

The European Union has the tools to enforce accountability under the DSA, but its current approach risks undermining its own effectiveness. Prologned analysis and deliberation often create a sense of inaction, allowing platforms like X to delay compliance. Meanwhile, disinformation, hate speech, and harassment continue to erode the digital space, harming European citizens and democratic institutions alike.

Suspensions allow Europe to act decisively, addressing violations in real time rather than waiting for a perfect consensus. Such an approach ensures platforms face immediate consequences for non-compliance while keeping the debate open. Temporary suspensions are not a final judgment; they are a regulatory tool that says: “Fix this now, or lose access.” This dynamic forces platforms to prioritize compliance, creating a stronger digital environment that reflects European values.

This approach aligns perfectly with the DSA’s framework! Enforceable, impactful, and proportional. While also circumventing diplomatic and political challenges that could arise from more extreme measures. Adopting frequent suspensions as a regulatory norm will not only protect European democracy but also reaffirm the EU’s position as a global leader in digital governance.

The tools are already in place. Now it’s time to use them. Suspend first, enforce compliance, and ensure platforms uphold the principles that protect European democracy! Let this be a decisive step forward as Europe shows its claws to push back against harmful online content. #XitNow