Knight-Georgetown Institute Logo

Search

Menu

Systemic Risk Assessment under the Digital Services Act

Commentary /

Systemic Risk Assessment under the Digital Services Act

The EU’s Digital Services Act risk assessments and audits create the possibility of increased platform transparency and accountability, but the first round falls far short of realizing that potential. The first assessments and audits largely fail to sufficiently consider the role of platform design in relation to risk and lack specificity about the data, metrics, and methods used to evaluate risk and mitigation effectiveness. External analysis of risks and mitigations are further undermined by an ongoing lack of access to data.

Making Recommender Systems Work for People: Turning the DSA’s Potential into Practice

Media Coverage /

Making Recommender Systems Work for People: Turning the DSA’s Potential into Practice

The Digital Services Act sets out broad new legal requirements to make recommender systems more transparent and accountable, including for their role in systemic risks. To fulfill that promise, implementation must go beyond basic disclosures and defaults; it must shape how these systems are designed and assessed over time.

Fixing the Feeds: A Policy Roadmap for Algorithms That Put People First

Commentary /

Fixing the Feeds: A Policy Roadmap for Algorithms That Put People First

As lawsuits mount and legislation proliferates aimed at stemming online harms, the battle over how algorithmic recommender systems should be designed is heating up. Yet common policy solutions that focus on mandating chronological feeds or limiting personalization fail to address the core issue: how to design recommender systems that align with users’ genuine long-term interests rather than exploiting their short-term impulses.

Designing Google Search Antitrust Remedies To Ignite Competition

Media Coverage /

Designing Google Search Antitrust Remedies To Ignite Competition

For too long, Google’s monopoly power has constrained how people find, access, and interact with information online. The remedies phase of this historic antitrust case presents a rare opportunity to ignite competition in search and search text advertising. With a comprehensive package of remedies, online search could enter a new era.

Our Work

An information future for the common good

KGI distills research to inform actionable policy concerning platform governance and design, transparency, and competition policy.

The latest from Research & Commentary

Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First

Report /

Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First

As state, federal, and global policymakers grapple with how to address concerns about the link between online algorithms and a variety of harms, KGI’s latest report authored by a distinguished group of researchers, technologists, and policy leaders is a roadmap for design and governance solutions that put users first. Product designers and policymakers can promote better algorithms through detailed design transparency, user choices and defaults, and assessments of long-term impact.

Navigating the Evolving Social Media Landscape and What’s to Come: From Platform Design to Litigation that Protects Users Online

Commentary /

Navigating the Evolving Social Media Landscape and What’s to Come: From Platform Design to Litigation that Protects Users Online

This month, the Knight-Georgetown Institute convened two events during Georgetown University’s fourth annual Tech & Society Week. KGI brought together leading experts, academics, and other key stakeholders across the digital technology landscape to explore some of the most pressing topics around social media platform design as well as consumer protection litigation aimed at keeping users safe online.

How to Fight against Market Power in Online Search: UK Edition

Commentary /

How to Fight against Market Power in Online Search: UK Edition

Google’s dominance in search has made it the subject of antitrust investigations and competition regulation around the world. The latest of these was the announcement in January 2025 that the United Kingdom was launching an investigation under its new digital markets competition regime. In public comments recently filed with UK competition authority, KGI has underscored the importance of being familiar with previous enforcement efforts around the world and prioritizing certain key aspects of competition.

See All

Recent News

Making Recommender Systems Work for People: Turning the DSA’s Potential into Practice

Media Coverage /

Making Recommender Systems Work for People: Turning the DSA’s Potential into Practice

The Digital Services Act sets out broad new legal requirements to make recommender systems more transparent and accountable, including for their role in systemic risks. To fulfill that promise, implementation must go beyond basic disclosures and defaults; it must shape how these systems are designed and assessed over time.

DSA Observatory

Why Google’s search engine trial is about AI

Media Coverage /

Why Google’s search engine trial is about AI

When the U.S. Department of Justice originally brought – and then won – its case against Google, arguing that the tech behemoth monopolized the search engine market, the focus was on, well … search. Back then, in 2020, the government’s antitrust complaint against Google had few mentions of artificial intelligence or AI chatbots. But nearly five years later, as the remedy phase of the trial enters its second week of testimony, the focus has shifted to AI, underscoring just how quickly this emerging technology has expanded.

NPR

California finally beats Big Tech in court

Media Coverage /

California finally beats Big Tech in court

A federal court ruling found that Google violated antitrust laws in two online advertising markets. California Attorney General Rob Bonta might have a winning strategy against Big Tech after Google’s big antitrust loss in court. This case was brought against the search giant in 2023 longside the U.S. Justice Department and 16 other state attorneys general, and is a notable win for Bonta’s office after a string of recent court losses to tech industry groups suing California on First Amendment grounds.

Politico

See All News

Close