EU Code of Conduct on Disinformation

As of 1 October 2026. Information only, not legal advice – see the disclaimer.

The Code of Practice on Disinformation was agreed on 26 September 2018 as a self-regulatory instrument following the Commission's 2018 work on tackling online disinformation. It was signed in October 2018 by Facebook, Google, Twitter and Mozilla and by representatives of the advertising industry; Microsoft joined in May 2019 and TikTok in June 2020. Following the Commission's Guidance of May 2021, a Strengthened Code was presented on 16 June 2022, signed by 34 signatories and containing 44 commitments and 128 specific measures. In January 2025 signatories submitted documents converting the Code into a code of conduct under Article 45 of the Digital Services Act; on 13 February 2025 the Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed its integration into the DSA framework, and it has applied as a DSA code of conduct since 1 July 2025. The Code's website states that it has more than 40 signatories, including online platforms, search engines, the advertising industry, fact-checkers and civil society organisations.

• Scrutiny of ad placements – commitments to demonetise the dissemination of disinformation.
• Political advertising – commitments on transparency of political and issue advertising (see also political_advertising).
• Integrity of services – commitments against manipulative behaviour such as fake accounts, bot-driven amplification and impersonation.
• Empowering users – media literacy and tools for users.
• Empowering researchers – improved access to data.
• Fact-checking – cooperation with and coverage by fact-checkers.
• Monitoring framework – a Transparency Centre, a permanent Task-force chaired by the Commission, and reporting obligations (very large platforms every six months, other signatories annually; first baseline reports in January 2023).

Under the DSA, providers of very large online platforms and search engines must assess and mitigate systemic risks, including negative effects on civic discourse and electoral processes (dsa). The Commission and the Board state that full adherence to the Code may be considered an appropriate risk mitigation measure for such providers. According to the Commission, a rapid response system under the Code was used during the European Parliament elections of June 2024.

• 2023-05-26: According to EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, Twitter (X) withdrew from the Code of Practice.
• 2025-02-13: The Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the integration of the Code into the DSA as a code of conduct.
• 2025-07-01: The Code of Conduct took effect under the DSA; compliance becomes part of the annual independent audits of signatory very large online platforms and search engines.
• 2026-09-24: Signatories including Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok publish reports for 1 January – 30 June 2026, the second round since the Code became a code of conduct under the DSA, with sections on crisis situations including the war in Ukraine and on elections; the Commission announced dialogues with all signatory very large online platforms and search engines on their subscription levels and engagement under the Code (European Commission).

• dsa
• political_advertising
• ai_act
• disinformation_resolutions
• iccpr

• European Commission, The Code of Conduct on Disinformation (policy page), accessed 2026-09-30
• European Commission, Code of Practice on Disinformation (26 September 2018), accessed 2026-09-30
• European Commission, 2018 Code of Practice on Disinformation, accessed 2026-09-30
• European Commission, Commission endorses the integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the Digital Services Act (13 February 2025), accessed 2026-09-30
• European Commission, Code of Conduct on Disinformation, accessed 2026-09-30
• Code of Conduct on Disinformation – Transparency Centre, accessed 2026-09-30
• AP via TechXplore, EU official says Twitter abandons bloc's voluntary pact against disinformation (26 May 2023), accessed 2026-09-30
• European Commission, Platform signatories publish latest reports under the Code of Conduct on Disinformation (24 September 2026), accessed 2026-10-01

• 2026-09-30: Entry created.
• 2026-10-01: Reporting round of September 2026 added.