DSA Ruling: ExTwitter Must Pay Up for Shadowbanning; Trolls Rejoice

The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) has faced criticism for its impact on shadowbanning, a tool used by online platforms to combat trolls. Recent court decisions suggest that Article 17 of the DSA has inadvertently created challenges for websites dealing with bad actors. The term "shadowbanning" has evolved over the years, with some misunderstanding its original purpose. A case in the Netherlands involving a PhD student, Danny Mekic, suing ExTwitter for applying visibility restrictions to his account without notification has brought attention to the issue. The court ruled that under the DSA, users must be informed in detail about any visibility restrictions, potentially making traditional shadowbanning impractical. The ruling highlights the complexities of content moderation in the digital age and raises concerns about empowering trolls through legal processes. This development, combined with previous rulings, may have significant implications for online platforms in the EU. The debate surrounding the DSA's effectiveness in addressing online behavior continues, with critics pointing out unintended consequences for combating trolls.