On 9 July 2022, after more than one year after the European Commission’s proposal, the European Parliament adopted the Digital Services Package. It includes both the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act. Both texts now have to be formally adopted by the Council of the European Union, but it is the first step to start changing the rules and ensure the protection of users’ rights online.
Why should we consider it very important? It sets out a first comprehensive rulebook for the online platforms.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) includes a new framework based on European values, such as the respect of human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law. The DSA was born from the idea to balance the rights and responsibilities of users, online intermediaries, including online platforms as well as very large online platforms, and public authorities. It contains diligence obligations for digital services among users with regard to goods, services or content as well as comprehensive protection for users’ fundamental rights online.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) will apply obligations and prohibitions to gatekeepers – companies which have the control of entire ecosystems made up of different platform services such as online marketplaces, operating systems, cloud services or online search engines.
What do you think about the new rules?