Today, 25 August, marks the entry into force of the various provisions set out in the DSA, the European regulation on digital services for 17 «very large platforms» and 2 search engines, before coming into force for all in February 2024.
Social networks are among these very large platforms. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, X/Twitter but also marketplaces such as Amazon and the two major search engines, Google Search and Bing*.
What will the DSA change?
Aiming to make digital platforms more accountable and better protect European internet users (from hate speech, manipulation, online harassment, disinformation, etc.), the DSA seeks to put into practice the principle that «What is illegal offline is illegal online.». It therefore provides for a set of measures graded according to online operators, depending on the nature of their services and their size.
Combating illegal content
Online platforms will have to offer internet users a tool enabling them to easily report illegal content. Once the report has been made, they must promptly remove or block access to the illegal content and, to do so, they must cooperate with trusted flaggers, expert entities or organisations, as is already the case with 3018 in the field of cyberbullying and digital violence.
Online transparency
Platforms will have to make their decisions regarding content moderation more transparent and explain how algorithms work which they use to recommend advertising based on user profiles.
Will notably be prohibited targeted advertising to minors, all platforms combined.
Risk mitigation and crisis response
Given the enormous influence that platforms and search engines have on online safety, the dissemination of information and the formation of public opinion, the DSA has provided for several measures aimed at reducing risks. Platforms will therefore have to: analyse risks annually« systemic » they generate (for the security of a state or minors, for example), take measures to mitigate them (remove fake accounts or increase the number of sources that seriously verify information). and carry out independent audits on this matter.
In general, they are also asked to work towards a greater protection for minors.
Application and penalties
In France, enforcement of the provisions set out in the DSA should be officially entrusted to ARCOM, which will work with CNIL (personal data) and DGCCRF (fraud prevention), with the support of technology specialists from the Digital Regulation Expertise Centre. In addition, very large online platforms and search engines will be monitored by the European Commission (with supervision costs financed by a levy of up to 0.051% of their global annual turnover).
In the event of non-compliance with the DSA, penalties and sanctions may be imposed (fines of up to 61% of their global turnover). In the event of serious and repeated violations of the regulation, platforms may be banned from operating in the European market.
*The platforms concerned: AliExpress, Amazon, Apple App Store, Booking, Facebook, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Shopping, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, Wikipedia, YouTube, and Zalando. And the two search engines: Bing and Google.
