The European Digital Services Act: A Democratic View for the Digital Age (forthcoming in an OUP Book in 2026)

Online platforms, primarily social media, have provided spaces to speak, work and build social relationships on a global scale. The role of online platforms in providing alternative socio-political spaces for people to exercise their human rights, particularly freedom of expression, has created alternative political spaces where people can gather, interact and discuss their political issues. However, the way in which information is organised has an impact on democratic principles because of the significant opacity and inconsistency in content moderation. For instance, it can polarize public opinion or reduce exposure to diverse perspectives. Constitutional democracies have provided different answers to this challenge. While in the USA, social media has been considered an instrument to foster democracy, the policy of the European Union has shifted from a liberal economic perspective to a democratic approach. This chapter aims to underline how the European regulation model defines a new path for content moderation based more on granting access, safeguards and remedies. It first highlights Europe's shift from a liberal economic to a democratic approach in platform governance. The second part examines the European Digital Services Act as a prime example of this transformation, illustrating how it balances internal market objectives with fundamental rights and democratic values. Thirdly, it explores the European approach to platform governance, emphasising the Digital Services Act as a model for democracy.