Call for: Study on pornographic platforms
Buyer: European Commission, DG for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, Brussels
Max value €142.999
Contract duration 5 months
Deadline to express interest: 27/03/2024 17:00
Indicative launch: 28/03/2024
Background: With the introduction of the Digital Services Act (“DSA”), the European Union has established pioneering regulations aimed at safeguarding the digital landscape in Europe. In December 2023, the European Commission officially designated three online pornographic platforms, namely Pornhub.com, Stripchat.com, and Xvideos.com (the “Three Designated Entities”), as Very Large Online Platforms (“VLOPs”). The designation of the Three Designated Entities requires the Commission to implement and enforce the DSA on this distinctive subset of online platforms, which possess unique characteristics compared to other designated VLOPs. The effective enforcement of the DSA by the Commission in relation to the designated VLOPs requires the assistance of third-party contractors to support the monitoring and supervisory work, contributing to an objective and scientific approach.
Description: The contractor should gather updated insights specifically tailored to navigate the complex ecosystem of pornographic platforms, ensuring a nuanced and effective approach in enforcing the DSA within this specific context. Specifically, the contractual objective is to monitor the compliance of the Three Designated Entities with Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 by providing high quality data and evidence.
This assistance aids the Commission in its enforcement activities, focusing particularly on four key areas of DSA compliance:
1. Content Moderation;
2. Risk Assessment;
3. Illegal Content and Practices;
4. Protection of Minors.
The contractor will be required to engage in three main research activities that will contribute to the monitoring and enforcement of the DSA obligations:
1. EU/MS Legal Framework Overview;
2. Pornographic Industry Overview with specific reference to the Three Designated Entities;
3. Creation of an Evidence Pipeline for the Analysis of Systemic Risks and Mitigation Measures to Support the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement of the DSA.
The results of these research activities will take the form of regular reports, datasets and ad hoc analyses that will support the Commission’s enforcement tasks. The awarded contractor shall develop a clear, innovative and multifaceted methodology that encompasses the Three Designated Entities and the areas of study identified, allowing for cross-subject and cross-platform comparisons. This methodology should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of current trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in the field of porn studies, with a specific focus on digital pornography and related illegal content and practices.
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