Disinformation, data, democracy: can the EU ensure a safer digital future?​​​​​​​​

15 May 2025 | 10:45 - 14:00 | Brightlands Smart Services Campus Heerlen

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Digital Services Act

The digital revolution has transformed our lives, offering unprecedented opportunities and convenience. However, this rapid digitalisation also brings complex challenges, including the spread of disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, mental health concerns, and privacy violations.

To tackle these challenges, the Digital Services Act (DSA) came into effect across the European Union on February 17, 2024. The DSA aims to create a safer online environment by combating illegal and harmful online activities, safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights, and promoting fairness in the digital marketplace. The legislation targets very large online platforms with over 45 million users in the EU.

Policy Brief Collection

To evaluate the effectiveness of the DSA and offer recommendations to policymakers, Studio Europa Maastricht has published its second special policy brief collection. This edition examines how the DSA can be strengthened to better protect European democracy from the dangers of online disinformation while fostering a fair digital ecosystem for all.

To delve deeper into the topic, Studio Europa Maastricht invited policymakers, industry leaders, and EU officials to discuss whether the DSA is effectively safeguarding democracy and how the digital industry is adjusting to these new regulations. Join the conversation and help shape the future of digital policy by signing up here.

This event is a collaboration between Studio Europa Maastricht and Brightlands Smart Services Campus in Heerlen. It is supported by Europe Direct Maastricht.

Featured speakers

Programme

  • 10:00 - 10:45 | Guest arrival (coffee will be served)

  • 10:45 - 10:50 | Opening

  • 10:50 - 11:00 | Introduction to the policy brief collection on Digitalisation and the EU Digital Services Act by Philippe Verduyn, editor-in-chief of the policy brief collection

  • 11:00 - 11:45 | Panel discussion

  • 11:45 - 12:00 | Q&A

  • 12:00 - 13:00 | Networking lunch

  • 13:00 - 14:00 | Workshop on identifying disinformation and fake news by Ruurd Oosterwoud (Founder and CEO of DROG)

About DROG and the workshop

DROG is an organisation with one single mission: to make you immune to disinformation. They believe that the best way to learn is by first hand experience. In their workshops and lectures they, therefore, let you assume the role of the disinformer. When you understand the tricks of deceit, you have gained a valuable strategic advantage at anticipating on any information threat.

More about the policy brief collection

This collection offers a critical examination of digitalisation, weighing its benefits and risks, and exploring the DSA’s role in protecting democracy and European citizens’ rights. It features contributions from Maastricht University experts across multiple disciplines, including law, psychology, data science, and radicalisation studies. Each contribution assesses the DSA’s impact from different angles, with key policy recommendations to enhance its effectiveness.

The collection includes 9 policy briefs and aims to spark informed discussions on how digitalisation and regulation intersect—especially in terms of online platforms, user rights, AI technologies, and legislative action.

This event is supported by Europe Direct Maastricht and takes place within the framework programme of the Charlemagne Prize 2025.

Location

Visitor and postal address (main entrance) Brightlands Smart Services Campus Smedestraat 2 6411 CR Heerlen

Visitor parking lot Ada Lovelaceweg Heerlen

Telephone reception +31 (0)651559065 (Also reachable via Whatsapp)

Click here to visit the Brightlands website.