In what cases can I lodge a complaint with the BIPT?
Did you encounter a problem with an online platform or a search engine (e.g. list of very large online platforms and search engines of the European Commission)? Here is what you can do – and in which cases you can contact the BIPT.
🛡️ What the Digital Services Act (DSA) says
According to this European regulation, platforms must:
- Act without undue delay when illegal content is reported to them;
- Justify decisions to remove content or terminate an account;
- Provide users with a system to lodge a complaint against:
- Decisions taken following a notice of illegal content;
- Decisions to remove content or terminate an account;
- Implement measures to protect minors on their services.
👉 If these rules are not complied with, you can file a complaint with the BIPT.
❌ What the BIPT cannot do as coordinator
The BIPT does not handle complaints about the content itself (e.g. insults, scams, shocking images, defamation, etc.).
In these cases, you need to:
- Report the content to the relevant platform or search engine;
- Contact the competent authorities (police, FAMPH, FPS Economy, etc.);
- Or consult the following tools:
- ConsumerConnect.be (for consumers)
- Report (for companies)
🧾 Some concrete examples
| ✅ You can file a complaint with the BIPT if… | ❌ You have to refer to another authority if… |
|---|---|
| you are unable to contact a platform to report content; | you are or know a victim of cyberbullying; |
| you have not received a response to your notice; | you see child sexual abuse content; |
| your account has been deleted without explanation; | you are or know a victim of defamation; |
| content was removed without justification; | you are or know a person who is confronted with a scam or fraud; |
| a platform does not protect minors; | you see a violation of the GDPR; |
| … | … |
📩 How to file a complaint with the BIPT?
1. Download the complaint form (from the BIPT website);
2. Complete it as accurately as possible;
3. Send it, with supporting documents, to complaintdsa@bipt.be.
⚠️ Please note that your complaint must concern the behaviour, inaction or functioning of the platform (e.g.: no follow-up of your notice), and not the content itself.
However, you may still provide us with a link to illegal content.
🧠 Good to know
- The complaint form offers you different categories of complaints: choose the one that best suits your situation.
- No need to evaluate yourself whether the platform is subject to certain obligations: the BIPT will see to this.
🔍 What happens after I have submitted my complaint?
The BIPT analyses your complaint and, if necessary, forwards it to the competent authority.
That can be:
- The BIPT itself;
- A national authority responsible for the DSA (CSA, VRM, Medienrat);
- A national authority responsible for the DSA of another EU Member State;
- The European Commission (for very large platforms or search engines).
Next, your complaint may:
- Be joined to other complaints to initiate a formal investigation;
- Result in an individual investigation;
- Be considered for statistical purposes.
👉 These investigations may result in fines, periodic penalty payments, modification obligations, or even suspension of service.
❓ Questions?
📧 Contact us at complaintdsa@bipt.be.
Do not forget to mention your file number if you have one.