News item | 16-02-2024 | 2:39 PM
The European Digital Services Act (DSA) applies from Saturday 17 February 2024 to all online marketplaces, social networks, search engines, cloud providers, online travel and accommodation platforms, internet service providers and content sharing platforms such as video platforms. Following in the footsteps of the 19 largest platforms, which must comply with (the strictest obligations of) the DSA from August 2023, other digital services must now also better protect the fundamental rights of users, tackle online deception and illegal information and create a level playing field for users .
For example, online marketplaces must obtain and publish more information about the companies (traders) on their platform. This should help to discourage and identify rogue traders, remove unfair competition and make it easier for consumers to obtain their rights. Digital services must also explain the rules for deleting information or user accounts in more detail to users, among other things. They must also have easily accessible and user-friendly complaints procedures for users.
Tackling undesirable personalized advertisements and disinformation
The DSA prohibits online platforms from further personalizing advertisements based on, for example, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Minors will also soon be extra protected against personalized advertisements. This should help ensure that they do not see inappropriate advertising.
From February 2024, more Dutch parties such as Marktplaats.nl, Bol.com and Catawiki must also comply with the DSA.
19 largest platforms
The 19 largest online platforms and search engines have been required to comply with the DSA since August 2023. For example, they must tackle illegal content and disinformation in a targeted manner, adapt their recommendation systems and be transparent about online advertising via their platforms. This includes Apple, Google, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X (formerly Twitter), but also the AliExpress, Booking.com and Snapchat platforms. The latter three operate (legally) from the Netherlands in Europe.
Supervision
The European Commission primarily monitors compliance with the DSA by the 19 largest online platforms and search engines. Member States are responsible for monitoring the other online services. In the Netherlands, the ACM and the AP are the intended supervisors for this.
The bill that regulates this will be presented to the House of Representatives shortly. In anticipation of this, the ACM has been appointed as the so-called digital services coordinator by ministerial decision this week. This enables ACM to perform a number of tasks under the DSA. This includes participation in the Digital Services Council, the European association of supervisors.