Germany Rules Out Invoking EU Crisis Internet Controls During Election

Article 36 of the Digital Services Act gives the EU the power to impose binding crisis measures on Big Tech during ‘extraordinary circumstances.’

Election campaign billboards of Alternative for Germany party leader Alice Weidel (R) and Robert Habeck, Economy and Climate Action Minister and Greens Party chancellor candidate, in Berlin on Jan. 26, 2025. Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Germany has ruled out using a “crisis” internet control protocol under an EU-wide law regarding digital services during its elections.

German authorities have said they won’t trigger Article 36 under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which would impose far-reaching restrictions on the internet, a week after collaborating with the EU Commission on a “stress test” for election disinformation in platform moderation.