Platform indifference to Trusted Flagger reporting friction

Ascertain whether online platforms are indifferent to the difficulties Trusted Flaggers encounter in reporting workflows—i.e., determine whether observed reporting friction arises from platform incentives or from transient implementation and learning effects—and identify evidence to distinguish between these explanations.

Background

Participants reported fragmented and cumbersome platform reporting channels with inconsistent constraints, which increase costs for TFs. Whether this friction stems from platform incentives or from early-stage implementation remains uncertain.

Clarifying the source of these difficulties can guide regulatory standardization (e.g., under Articles 22(8) and 44(1)(c) DSA) and platform design changes to reduce unnecessary burden on TFs.

References

However, it was not clear at this stage, whether platforms were indifferent to reporting being difficult for TFs to do.

— "There is literally zero funding": Understanding the Emerging Role of Trusted Flaggers under the EU Digital Services Act  (2603.29874 - Sekwenz et al., 31 Mar 2026) in Recommendations (Standardized reporting processes)