The Top Trusted Flagger Bodies in Germany: Your Guide to Reporting Unsafe Content
Online intimidation, abusive language, and menacing online behaviors: guiding you through the reporting process
Navigating the vast world of the internet can be challenging, especially when you encounter illegal activities such as hate speech, manipulative designs, or unsafe products. Rest assured that reporting such issues no longer has to be a daunting task. In this guide, we'll show you how to leverage the certified 'Trusted Flagger' bodies in Germany to ensure that the internet remains a safe space for everyone.
So, what exactly are these Trusted Flaggers? Certified by the EU law on digital markets, these trustworthy informants have the power to make a significant impact on the handling of content and products online. You might recognize this law by its English name, the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to promote transparency and responsible behavior from online platforms.
When you suspect illegal activity online and want to report it, Trusted Flaggers are a good option. By filling out their online form, your report will be thoroughly investigated, and if necessary, forwarded to the relevant platform or service. But why not report content directly to the relevant platform? Well, Trusted Flaggers bring an important advantage: if an online platform receives a report of suspected illegal content from a recognized Trusted Flagger, they must prioritize and take immediate action, such as deleting content. The Federal Network Agency, which certifies Trusted Flaggers in Germany, explains this priority treatment.
As of 2025, several Trusted Flagger bodies have been certified in Germany. Let's introduce you to the key players:
- Bundesverband Onlinehandel e.V. (BVOH): This association focuses on commercial legal protection and unfair competition, particularly on online marketplaces.
- HateAid gGmbH: This organization specializes in digital violence, fraud, and deception, especially on social media platforms.
- Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (vzbv): This body concentrates on consumer rights, product safety, e-commerce, and fraud on online marketplaces and social media platforms.
- Respect reporting office: Established last year, this office was appointed as a trusted flagger.
It's essential to note that neither the Federal Network Agency nor the Trusted Flaggers remove content or order its removal. Instead, the relevant platform or service decides whether to delete an offer or content. If platforms decide not to remove content, they must explain their decision. The decision or measures taken by a platform can be reviewed at any time by the person making the report or the affected party through the platform itself, an out-of-court dispute resolution body, or the courts. The final assessment of whether content is illegal and must be removed, or whether it was removed correctly (or not), lies with the courts.
By leveraging the expertise of Trusted Flaggers, you can contribute to a safer and more transparent internet. Don't let harmful or illegal content go unnoticed; report it with confidence, knowing that these certified bodies are on your side.
- The Bundesverband Onlinehandel e.V. (BVOH), a Trusted Flagger in Germany, focuses on commercial legal protection and unfair competition, particularly on online marketplaces, making them valuable resources for reporting unsafe products and manipulative designs.
- When it comes to digital violence, fraud, and deception, especially on social media platforms, HateAid gGmbH serves as a Trusted Flagger, helping to report and tackle such issues in the realm of social-media entertainment.
- For general news, consumer rights, product safety, e-commerce, and fraud on online marketplaces and social media platforms, the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (vzbv) is a Trusted Flagger that can investigate and forward reports to the relevant platforms, contributing to a more responsible internet landscape, even in the context of crime-and-justice reporting.
