Renew MEP Sandro Gozi has pressed the European Commission on whether it plans to increase annual supervisory fees under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to strengthen enforcement, and whether it still expects to reach its target of 270 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff dedicated to DSA enforcement in 2026. The written question, submitted on 13 July 2026, warns that the Commission's supervisory and enforcement responsibilities are becoming more complex and resource-intensive, and that effective implementation requires sufficient financial and human resources for timely investigations and credible enforcement.
Gozi asks the Commission to confirm whether it plans to raise supervisory fees in the coming years to ensure adequate resources, and if not, to explain why. He also requests details on how many FTEs have been recruited to date, how many vacancies remain, and whether the current recruitment trajectory is sufficient to meet enforcement objectives. The question signals concern among some MEPs that the Commission may be under-resourcing DSA enforcement, potentially undermining the regulation's impact on protecting citizens and democratic processes.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it intends to scale up enforcement capacity or maintain current levels. The DSA, which imposes strict obligations on large online platforms, has been a flagship digital regulation, and resource allocation is a key factor in its credibility. Stakeholders affected include large tech platforms (which pay supervisory fees and face enforcement actions), smaller platforms (which may face indirect cost pressures), EU citizens (who rely on effective enforcement for online safety), and the Commission itself (which must balance enforcement ambition with budget constraints).