What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
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 goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital