News item | 26-04-2023 | 10:41
From the end of August 2023, the 19 largest online platforms and search engines must comply with broader obligations within the new Digital Services Act (DSA) compliant. In the EU, for example, they must target illegal content and disinformation, adapt their recommendation systems and be transparent about online advertising through their services. It concerns, among other things AppleGoogle, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Twitter and the platforms AliExpress and booking.com which, according to the designation, operate from the Netherlands in Europe.
The wider obligations apply to the very largest digital services designated this week by the European Commission. They have an average monthly average of more than 45 million active users in the EU. These platforms and search engines are required to conduct annual risk assessments of harmful online practices on their services. For example, when it comes to illegal goods or content and the spreading of disinformation. They must take action against this. They also receive checks on their used algorithms.
If these very largest platforms and search engines fail to comply with the DSA, fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover or penalty payments of up to 5% of their average daily revenue can be imposed by the European Commission.
DSA from February 2024 also for other online services and platforms
The DSA will also apply to other online marketplaces, social networks, search engines, cloud providers, internet providers and platforms for sharing content such as video platforms and online travel and accommodation platforms that are widely used in the Netherlands and Europe.
For example, online marketplaces must collect and publish more information about the companies (traders) on their platform. Digital services must also explain, among other things, the rules for deleting information or user accounts in more detail to users. By 17 February 2024, all services and platforms must be fully compliant with the EU-wide DSA.
Responsibility and accountability digital services
The Netherlands has pleaded for various parts to be included in the DSA. For example, online marketplaces will soon have to collect more information about the companies (traders) that sell products or services via their platform. This should help to discourage and identify rogue traders, remove unfair competition and make it easier for consumers to get justice.
The DSA will also soon oblige providers of digital services to take into account the fundamental rights of users when moderating content and to inform them more extensively about this. They must also have easily accessible and user-friendly complaints procedures for consumers.
Tackling unwanted personalized advertisements and disinformation
The DSA prohibits online platforms from personalizing advertisements on the basis of, for example, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Minors will soon also have extra protection against personalized advertisements. This should help ensure that they do not see inappropriate advertising.
In addition, the DSA also offers the opportunity to better protect citizens against disinformation, fake news and violations of fundamental and human rights. The very largest online platforms and search engines must take measures to reduce the risks of their services for society and democracy, among other things. In addition, the DSA promotes transparency. By better regulating reporting obligations and access to data for researchers, we gain more insight into how large platforms work.
Large companies pay their own levy for supervision
The European Commission will soon monitor compliance with the DSA by the largest online platforms and search engines. The companies themselves pay for this supervision through a levy. Member States are responsible for overseeing the other online services.