On Saturday 23 April, a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the proposal on the Digital Services Act (DSA), initially proposed by the European Commission in 2020.
With the DSA the Commission aims to better protect consumers and their fundamental rights online, establish a powerful transparency and a clear accountability framework for online platforms, and foster innovation, growth and competitiveness within the single market. The DSA will set out a new standard for the accountability of online platforms regarding illegal and harmful content, providing rules for content moderation, platform accountability, illegal products and systemic risks. The obligations for online players under the DSA will depend on their role, size, and impact on the online ecosystem.
The agreement on the DSA follows a political agreement on the Digital Market Act (DMA) in late March. The DMA is another key piece of legislation in the European Commission's effort to make Europe fit for the Digital Age and introduces rules for platforms that act as “gatekeepers” in the digital sector. These are platforms that have a significant impact on the internal market, serve as an important gateway for business users to reach their end users and an enjoy an entrenched and durable position.
Both the DSA and DMA are now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and Council before entering into force.