Core Platform Service

A core platform service is a type of digital service that connects large numbers of users and businesses, including online marketplaces, search engines, social networks, and app stores. Under EU law, companies providing these services may face special obligations if they become powerful enough to act as "gatekeepers" controlling access to digital markets.

Legal Basis

"Core platform service means any of the following services: (a) online intermediation services; (b) online search engines; (c) online social networking services; (d) video-sharing platform services; (e) number-independent interpersonal communications services; (f) operating systems; (g) web browsers; (h) virtual assistants; (i) cloud computing services; (j) online advertising services, including any advertising networks, advertising exchanges and any other advertising intermediation services, provided by an undertaking that provides any of the core platform services listed in points (a) to (i)."

— Article 2(2), Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act)

Why It Matters

Core platform services are defined in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), not the Political Advertising Regulation (Regulation 2024/900). However, many providers of political advertising services—including online platforms, social networks, and search engines—operate core platform services. Understanding this term helps clarify which companies may face additional transparency and fairness obligations under EU digital regulation.

When a company providing a core platform service meets specific size and influence thresholds, the European Commission can designate it as a "gatekeeper." Gatekeepers face strict rules about fair competition, data use, and interoperability. For political advertisers and publishers, this means that major platforms like social networks, search engines, and app stores may be subject to both DMA obligations (ensuring fair markets) and Political Advertising Regulation obligations (ensuring transparency in political ads).

If you place political advertising on a core platform service, you should be aware that the platform may be required to provide transparency tools, data access for researchers, and fairness safeguards that protect your ability to reach audiences without discrimination.

Key Points

Defined by the DMA: The term comes from the Digital Markets Act, which regulates large digital platforms to ensure contestable and fair markets.
Broad category: Includes online intermediation services, search engines, social networks, video-sharing platforms, messaging services, operating systems, browsers, virtual assistants, cloud computing, and online advertising services.
Gatekeeper designation: Companies providing core platform services can be designated as gatekeepers if they have significant impact, act as important gateways between businesses and users, and hold an entrenched market position.
Relevance to political advertising: Many platforms that publish or disseminate political advertising also provide core platform services, so they may face obligations under both the DMA and the Political Advertising Regulation.
EU-wide application: The rules apply throughout the European Union and to services offered to users in the EU, regardless of where the provider is established.
Technology-neutral: The definition is intended to be technology-neutral and covers services provided on various devices, including connected TVs and embedded digital services in vehicles.

Core Platform Service vs. Online Platform

A core platform service is a specific category defined in the DMA, covering nine types of digital services (such as search engines, social networks, and app stores) that can become powerful gatekeepers. An online platform is a broader term used in the Digital Services Act (DSA) to describe any hosting service that stores and disseminates information to the public, including smaller platforms that are not gatekeepers.

All core platform services that disseminate information to the public are online platforms, but not all online platforms are core platform services. For political advertising, both types of platform may have transparency obligations, but gatekeepers providing core platform services face additional DMA requirements around fairness, data access, and competition.

Related Terms

Gatekeeper
Online platform
Political advertising service
Provider (of political advertising services)
Publisher
Digital Services Act (DSA)
Digital Markets Act (DMA)
Very large online platform (VLOP)
Targeting techniques
Sponsor

Very transparent. Every political ad will be labelled, linked to a transparency notice with detailed information, and online ads will be searchable in a central European repository.

The Network coordinates election-related cooperation between member states. National contact points for TTPA enforcement should be members of this network where possible.

Election campaigns will need to ensure all paid advertising includes proper labels and transparency notices. Sponsors must be prepared to provide required information to all service providers.

Several major platforms currently do not allow paid political advertising, including some large social networks. This limits where political actors can place paid online advertisements.

The TTPA applies from 10 October 2025. Member States had until 10 April 2025 to designate competent authorities, and the Commission must provide label templates by 10 July 2025.

Publishers must ensure completeness and accuracy of certain information but are not required to verify all sponsor claims. They must correct manifestly erroneous information when they become aware of it.

Yes. When a hosting provider and a website both display an ad, both are considered publishers with responsibility for their specific services. Contracts should clarify how they share compliance duties.

If a publisher removes or disables access to a political ad due to illegality or terms violations, they must still provide access to the transparency information for the full seven-year retention period.