The Digital Services Act comes into force: find out what it entails
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The Internet has become the perfect shop window for millions of consumers. However, it also harbours certain dangers.
This is why the European Union has launched the Digital Services Act, a regulation that seeks to protect the integrity of people's internet experience.
The importance of protecting citizens on the Internet
According to a CIS survey, 47.4% of the Spanish population has suffered a scam or attempted scam over the Internet in the last year. Furthermore, this report shows that 60% of the people surveyed recognize that they have little or no knowledge of security and personal data protection on the Internet.
This study shows that the internet, while providing a wide range of information and communication opportunities, can become a risk to people's most sensitive data. Putting an end to such abuses has become the focus of public and governmental institutions.
In this context, the European Union has taken a step forward in its crusade against cybercrime and has decided to approve the Digital Services Act, a regulation that has recently come into force and which is sure to be of interest to you.
Do you want to know what it consists of? We'll tell you about it below!
What is the Digital Services Act and how will it protect people?
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a regulation passed by the European Union that aims to create a safer and more transparent digital environment.
Among its main objectives are:
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To protect people from illegal or counterfeit content.
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To combat disinformation and the spread of misinformation.
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To ensure transparency about advertising that affects individuals.
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To encourage competition by limiting abuses by large platform
The proposal was presented on 15 December 2020, in the framework of the proposed Digital Markets Act, but finally entered into force on 17 February 2024. This regulation is based on core European values, such as respect for human rights, freedom, democracy and equality, to establish a new reality in our daily use of the internet.
The Digital Services Act aims to create a safer and more transparent digital environment.
Esta ley afecta a todas las plataformas online que cuenten con usuarios en la Unión Europea, salvo las pequeñas empresas y microempresas con menos de 50 empleados y con un volumen de negocios inferior a 10 millones de euros anuales, como, por ejemplo:
This law affects all online platforms with users in the European Union, except for small and micro enterprises with less than 50 employees and a turnover of less than 10 million euros per year, such as:
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Online sales, where digital products or services can be purchased, for example, Amazon or Uber.
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Social networks, such as Instagram, X, Facebook or TikTok, among others.
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Content, such as YouTube or blogs.
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Apps shops, like Google Play Store or AppStore.
What impact will it have on businesses?
As you have already seen, the Digital Services Act is the new regulation promoted by the European Union that seeks to guarantee the security of people's online experience.
To this end, the platforms affected by this regulation will have to implement measures to:
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Provide users with means to report illegal content, including products or services.
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Protect minors by prohibiting the production of advertisements based on their personal data.
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Show users why they are being shown ads and the source of such campaigns.
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Ban ads that target users based on their most sensitive data, such as religion.
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Justify to users why a content moderation decision has been made, such as suspending their account.
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Provide a complaints mechanism to challenge content moderation decisions.
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Publish, at least annually, a report of content moderation procedures.
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Clarify the terms and conditions under which certain content is recommended to a user.
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Add a point of contact with authorities and users.
These platforms will be overseen by Digital Services Coordinators, independent regulators whose responsibility is to ensure that the rules of the law are complied with and that, ultimately, the fundamental rights of individuals are respected and protected as they move across the internet.
If you want to find out new information or advice on cybersecurity or data protection on the internet, remember that you can access the content section of our portal.
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