EU urged to use Digital Services Act against digital repression of exiles

A report by ARTICLE 19, titled ‘404: Safety not found?’, highlights the digital repression faced by Belarusian and Russian exiles living in Europe. The research, based on interviews with journalists, human rights defenders, and digital security experts, details how state-linked actors use digital tools to target independent voices.

Key threats identified include phishing attacks to expose private communications and the manipulation of platform moderation through coordinated malicious complaints. The report notes that ‘extremist’ and ‘foreign agent’ designations are used to deter audiences from engaging with independent media. Such digital harassment can lead to the loss of sensitive records, the compromise of contacts within repressive states, and forced self-censorship. Experts suggest that the European Union should utilize the Digital Services Act to protect these exiled groups from online tormentors.