The European Digital Services Act (DSA) mandates digital services, particularly large online platforms, to address the risks faced by their users and to protect their rights.
Here’s a summary of its key elements:
Clear Rules for Online Platforms: The DSA sets clear rules for digital services, especially social media networks, online marketplaces, and other online platforms, making them more responsible for dealing with illegal content, goods, or services they facilitate.
Transparency Requirements: The DSA aims to enforce greater transparency in the algorithms used by platforms. This includes providing users with options to see a non-algorithmic view of content and requiring platforms to be open about how their algorithms select content and target ads.
Stronger Oversight: The DSA proposes to establish a robust governance structure for large platforms, including appointing a Digital Services Coordinator in each member state.
Addressing the ‘Very Large Platforms’: The DSA introduces specific regulations for 'very large platforms' (those with more than 45 million users in the EU), recognizing their systemic role. These platforms will be subject to more stringent obligations.
Protection of Fundamental Rights: The DSA aims to safeguard users' fundamental rights, including freedom of expression. It sets clearer procedures for the removal of illegal content and provides mechanisms for users to dispute the removal of their content.
Cross-border Cooperation: The DSA seeks to improve the cooperation between national authorities and between national authorities and the European Commission to ensure effective oversight across the Single Market.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under the DSA, companies could face significant fines if they do not comply with the regulations
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