In a compelling editorial, Jerry Spanakis, Assistant Professor in Machine Learning at Maastricht University’s Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering, explores how machine learning can transform the enforcement of online regulations. The piece, titled “Machine Learning for Consumer Forensics (or We Need to Talk About Online Enforcement of Regulations)”, arrives at a critical time as the European Commission gears up for its new mandate under Henna Virkkunen, focusing on digital sovereignty, security, and ethical tech practices.

With the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) in full swing, Europe is facing challenges like combating dark patterns, influencer-driven marketing manipulation, and harmful online content. Spanakis introduces the concept of “consumer forensics”—a term coined by Goanta—to describe the technical and interdisciplinary approach required to address consumer vulnerabilities online.

The editorial underscores the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration, where data scientists, legal experts, and policymakers work together to safeguard digital spaces. 

Read the full editorial here.