MEP Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, raising concerns about the use of 'dark patterns' in online services, specifically targeting YouTube's default profiling-based recommendation system. The question, filed on 13 April 2026, follows a complaint under the Digital Services Act (DSA) alleging that YouTube, as a very large online platform, does not provide a sufficiently accessible alternative to personalised recommendations, potentially limiting user choice and autonomy.
Motreanu's question focuses on whether the Commission will take action against potential DSA breaches related to recommendation systems and interface design. He asks how the Commission will ensure that platforms offer accessible alternatives to profiling-based recommendations, addressing concerns that deceptive design techniques may manipulate user behaviour. The question does not specify numerical targets or deadlines but calls for a clear enforcement strategy.
This parliamentary question signals the MEP's intent to push for stronger consumer protection in digital markets, particularly regarding algorithmic transparency and user control. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate the direction of DSA enforcement on dark patterns, potentially impacting major platforms like YouTube and affecting EU consumers, digital rights NGOs, and the tech industry's compliance costs.
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