Technology Law · European Union
Navigate Platform Law With a Specialist Who Knows the Rules
If your product hosts users, content or third-party transactions, European platform regulation now shapes everything from your terms and takedown duties to your liability and transparency obligations. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who advises digital platforms every day, so you can build and grow without running foul of rules you didn’t know applied.
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Who this is for
Every platform that hosts users or content now carries legal duties by default
Platform law is the body of rules governing digital intermediaries — social networks, marketplaces, app stores, content platforms, sharing services and any online service that hosts user content or connects third parties. European law has transformed this area in recent years, imposing duties on transparency, content moderation, complaint handling, seller vetting and risk assessment that scale with a platform’s size and reach. Whether you’re a founder building a community product, a marketplace operator, a hosting provider, or a company whose app enables user-generated content, the obligations attach to the platform function itself, not your sector. The consequences of getting it wrong range from takedowns and fines to personal liability exposure and restricted market access. A platform-law specialist can tell you which duties apply to your model, at what size they bite, and how to design compliance that doesn’t strangle your product.
Why platforms get caught out
Platforms rarely fail because of the technology.
They fail because the legal duties were retrofitted too late.
Regulation now reaches far beyond ‘just a website’ — and the trigger is the platform function itself.
Unclear which rules apply
The EU’s platform regime is layered and size-dependent, and it’s rarely obvious whether your service qualifies as a hosting provider, an online platform, or something in between. Misclassifying yourself can mean building the wrong compliance entirely.
Content moderation and takedown duties
Hosting user content triggers notice-and-action obligations, complaint channels and transparency reporting duties. Getting moderation wrong can easily forfeit the liability protections you were counting on.
Liability protections at risk
The ‘safe harbour’ that shields intermediaries from liability for user content has real conditions. Active involvement or failed duties can strip that protection away, leaving you answerable for content you never created.
What you get
A platform lawyer who designs around regulation, not after it
We only match you with lawyers who specialise in digital platform regulation and its enforcement across Europe.
Classification & duty mapping
Your lawyer determines precisely how the law classifies your service and maps every duty that follows, so you know what applies now and what will apply as you scale.
Terms & policy drafting
Get user terms, content policies, and complaint and notice procedures drafted to protect your intermediary position and accurately reflect the legal duties you actually carry.
Moderation & transparency design
Build moderation workflows, appeals and transparency reporting that satisfy legal requirements in a practical, maintainable way — the kind of approach regulators and courts actually accept.
Enforcement & dispute defence
Facing a takedown, a regulator inquiry or a claim over hosted content? Your lawyer responds, corrects the compliance gap and defends your position before it escalates.
Coverage
Platform lawyers across Europe
Platform regulation is harmonised at EU level but enforced by national authorities, each with its own approach and priorities. The right lawyer understands the framework and how it is applied where you operate. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Platform law — common questions
What counts as an ‘online platform’ under European law?
It generally means an online service that stores and disseminates information provided by users at their request. The definition is broad and functional — it turns on what your service does, not what you call it — so a specialist assessment of your actual operation is the reliable way to know.
Does platform regulation apply to small startups?
Many duties scale with size, and smaller platforms are often exempt from the heaviest obligations. However, some baseline duties apply from the first user, and the picture changes as you grow, so early advice on thresholds and trigger points is worthwhile.
What is the ‘safe harbour’ for user content?
It is the protection that limits an intermediary’s liability for unlawful user content, provided it meets certain conditions and acts appropriately on notices. That protection is conditional and can be lost through active involvement or failure to respond, so it should not be assumed.
Do I need a complaint and appeal system for content decisions?
For many platforms, yes — transparency and complaint-handling obligations are a core part of the current regime. The precise requirements depend on your classification and size, and a lawyer can help you design a system that meets them without becoming a burden.
How do platform rules interact with data protection?
They overlap significantly. Hosting user content and running moderation means processing personal data, and you must satisfy data protection law alongside platform duties. The two regimes are best handled together rather than in isolation.
What should I do if a regulator contacts my platform?
Respond carefully and seek advice early. A regulator inquiry can carry deadlines and evidentiary requests, and your response can shape the outcome. A lawyer experienced with platform enforcement can help you engage constructively while protecting your position.
Free case review
Build your platform on compliance, not on hope
Tell us what your platform does and where it operates, and we’ll connect you with a platform-law specialist who handles digital regulation every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.