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The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
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The rest of the world will be following closely how this legislative effort unfolds in Europe
On 25 August 2023, a significant milestone was reached in the European Union: the Digital Services Act (DSA) came into effect for very large online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs). This legislative endeavour marks a critical response to the pressing issue of disinformation in today's digital landscape.
Let's delve into what the DSA is, its relevance to disinformation, and its anticipated impact.
The DSA aims to serve as a framework for dealing with illegal content. It is a comprehensive set of rules and regulations designed to safeguard the digital information ecosystem. It targets digital platforms, especially those with over 45 million EU users, with the aim of ensuring responsible and transparent online environments.
As such, the core objective of the DSA is to counter disinformation effectively. It does this through several key measures:
As the DSA came into effect, digital platforms, including social media sites like TikTok, Meta (Facebook), and others, have made public statements on how they plan to comply with the new rules. TikTok, for example, introduced an additional reporting option for its European community to report illegal content, including hate speech and harassment.
While the DSA has been hailed as "landmark legislation," some critics point out that certain platforms displaying harmful content, such as Netflix and Airbnb, are not included on the list of 19 designated platforms. However, there is room for adjustments and additions in the future.
EU officials have emphasized rigorous enforcement of the DSA, with online platforms facing the possibility of hefty fines or even bans for non-compliance. Civil society involvement in oversight, along with adequate resources at the national level, is essential for effective enforcement.
The DSA has garnered international attention, with other countries closely watching how the EU regulates online platforms. It exemplifies the EU's commitment to upholding values in the digital world and may influence similar regulations worldwide.
As the DSA comes into effect, users in the EU can expect greater transparency regarding content moderation on digital platforms, as well as mechanisms for appealing decisions related to content moderation.
Designated VLOPs and VLOSEs, assuming they were notified on 25 April 2023, are required to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA). This compliance encompasses several key aspects, including statements of reasons, appeals, out-of-court dispute resolution, explainability, and vetted researcher access (partly), as of 25 August 2023.
VLOPs and VLOSEs must publish their first transparency reports (and every 6 months thereafter) starting on 25 October 2023. Additionally, the DSA will apply in its entirety, and the deadline for EU Member States to establish Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs) is set for 17 February 2024. DSCs will play a crucial role in overseeing and enforcing DSA compliance at the national level.
The EU's Digital Services Act represents a groundbreaking step towards responsible digital governance and the fight against disinformation. It sets a precedent for other regions and reinforces the importance of transparency, accountability, and user protection in the digital age.
This article is part of Read Twice – an EU-funded project, coordinated by Euro Advance Association that targets young people and aims to counter disinformation and fake news by enhancing their skills to assess critically information, identify vicious and harmful media content and distinguish between facts and opinions, thus improving their media literacy competences.
The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of its author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union nor of TheMayor.EU.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
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Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
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