Appeals Centre Europe Issues Critical First Report
Dublin’s newly established Appeals Centre Europe (ACE) has delivered a strong rebuke to major social media companies, singling out YouTube for failing to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA) requirements on dispute resolution.
The independent body, created in November 2024, was tasked with handling disagreements between European Union users and online platforms over content moderation. On October 1, 2025, ACE published its first transparency report, covering its operations from launch through August 2025. The findings raised serious concerns about widespread resistance among global tech giants in engaging with EU-mandated appeals processes.
YouTube Faces the Harshest Criticism
According to the report, YouTube was the least cooperative platform. Despite receiving 343 eligible appeals, the company did not submit any evidence to assist ACE in evaluating disputes. With little information to work from, the appeals body was only able to make rulings in 29 cases, while the rest required “default decisions” in favor of users.
YouTube, however, rejected the claims. A spokesperson argued that ACE lacked adequate privacy safeguards, preventing the company from sharing user data necessary for case reviews. YouTube further highlighted that it already operates its own internal appeal system, suggesting that EU-level dispute resolution is redundant.
Wider Non-Cooperation Across Social Media Platforms
While YouTube was the worst offender, ACE reported that Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, along with TikTok, also delayed or withheld information in numerous cases. When platforms failed to engage, ACE frequently ruled in favor of users by default.
Hughes stressed that decisions made by social media companies can have life-changing consequences — from cutting off income streams for digital creators to silencing voices in critical political debates.
Strong User Demand Highlights Gaps in Platform Accountability
Despite relatively low public awareness — which Hughes described as “Europe’s best-kept secret” — the appeals center has been inundated with cases. Between November 2024 and August 2025, ACE received nearly 10,000 disputes from users across all 27 EU countries.
Of these, more than 3,300 appeals were within ACE’s jurisdiction, and over 1,500 rulings were issued in its first ten months. Notably, the center overturned platform decisions in more than 75% of cases, most commonly reinstating content or restoring suspended accounts.
The country breakdown showed Poland generating the highest number of eligible disputes, followed by France and Italy.
Legal Obligations Under the Digital Services Act
The DSA, which came into force in 2024, obliges online platforms to:
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Engage in good faith with independent dispute bodies like ACE.
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Provide clear information to users about their right to appeal.
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Ensure transparency in moderation decisions.
However, ACE’s findings suggest that many companies are failing to promote these rights to their users, raising questions about potential legal violations under EU law.
Broader Political Tensions Between the EU and US
The dispute also reflects growing transatlantic tensions over digital regulation. While EU officials argue that the DSA is designed to protect users from illegal or harmful content, critics in the United States — including President Donald Trump’s administration — have denounced the law as a form of “foreign censorship.”
The sharp divide underscores ongoing battles between European regulators seeking stronger oversight of tech giants and U.S.-based companies wary of stricter compliance standards.
The Road Ahead for Online Accountability
As ACE moves forward, pressure is mounting on platforms to improve their cooperation. With user demand rising and the EU emphasizing enforcement, non-compliance may expose companies to financial penalties and reputational damage.
For EU citizens, the appeals center offers an increasingly important avenue to challenge moderation decisions, helping ensure freedom of expression and digital rights are respected.
Whether YouTube and other platforms will adapt to these new legal realities or continue resisting external oversight remains to be seen. But as Hughes noted, “the stakes are too high to ignore.”
