Regulation of news recommenders in the Digital Services Act

Because of their importance for the way users find and access information online, recommender algorithms are a source of great power in the algorithmic society—a power that comes with responsibilities, and systematic risks that worry policymakers and academics alike. As such, it is to be welcomed that the European Commission, in its suggestion for a Digital Services Act (DSA), has devoted considerable attention to news recommenders and even included a specialised provision for them: Art. 29 of the DSA specifically addresses the recommender systems. The following commentary offers a number of critical reflections on the goals behind Art. 29 DSA. Read more at the Internet Policy Review.