The new and very heavy European regulation on digital giants, the Digital Services Act (DSA), comes into force this Saturday, February 17. Clubic presents it to you point by point, to understand everything.
After coming into force on August 25, the Digital Services Act applies to all platforms concerned, including Google Search, Facebook or Amazon Store, as of this Saturday, February 17, 2024. Without overselling the matter, it This is a particularly dense regulation on digital services, which could well push them into a new era of regulation. Clubic explains everything to you, in 3 questions, starting with what the famous DSA should and will change.
With the DSA, what changes?
The Digital Services Act concerns all the largest providers of online intermediary services in Europe and the world. There are search engines, social networks, hosts, accommodation and travel platforms and, obviously, e-commerce sites.
In more detail, the DSA makes it possible to fight against the dissemination of illicit content on platforms, cyberharassment and against online disinformation, with reporting buttons immediately accessible to users. The regulation will help take action against any content that may have negative effects (whether foreseeable or real) on public safety, and electoral and democratic processes. Any account publishing illegal content within the meaning of the text must be suspended, and users must know exactly why.
Suffice it to say that the DSA will find its full application this year with the European elections. Several major networks, including TikTok, affected by the regulation, have already announced changes in this area.
In addition, the DSA prohibits targeted advertising towards minors and requires transparent and informed, intelligible and easily accessible information for users when browsing these services, through general conditions for example, often highlighted by European courts these days. last years. But more precisely, to whom does this regulation apply?
Which platforms with more than 45 million monthly users in Europe are affected?
In total, 22 actors are affected by the DSA. You will not be surprised to see that some come from the same company. Why that ? Because the European Union insisted that the services of more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU be targeted. Here is the complete list of platforms subject to the Digital Services Act, in alphabetical order:
- AliExpress,
- Amazon Store,
- AppStore,
- Bing,
- Booking,
- Facebook,
- Google Maps,
- Google Play,
- Google Search,
- Google Shopping,
- Instagram,
- LinkedIn,
- Pinterest,
- Snapchat,
- TikTok,
- Wikipedia,
- X.com (former Twitter),
- Youtube,
- Zalando.
On December 20, 2023, the European Commission added to this list the three largest online platforms for adult content, namely Pornhub, Stripchat and Xvideos.
What are the sanctions for those who do not comply with the DSA?
If a company is found guilty of breaching the Digital Services Act, it will be singled out by the European Commission. Brussels will have the power to impose fines of up to 6% of the annual global turnover of the company concerned. We might as well say it: a sanction could amount to billions of euros! To establish the amount of the fine, the European authorities will base themselves on the income of the previous financial year.
If the same company ever commits serious and repeated breaches for one of its platforms, the European Union may decree a drastic temporary measure restricting access to the service in question.
Finally, a daily penalty may be imposed on the very large platforms concerned, but only at the initiative of the Member States. This penalty may weigh up to 5% of the platform’s daily revenue or global turnover.
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