A timeline of the EU Commission’s public consultation
14.11.2019: Thierry Breton says he will not modify limited liability framework
European Parliament
At his hearing before the European Parliament, the new European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Thierry Breton, committed not to question or modify the limited liability that digital services companies have over content posted on their platforms [more].
01.12.2019: Von der Leyen Commission takes office and commits to new DSA
European Commission
The new European Commission took office under the lead of Ursula von der Leyen as President. Her mandate’s priorities, as stated in the released Political Guidelines, include a new Digital Services Act to increase Europe’s liability and safety rules for digital platforms. [more].17.02.2020: Facebook’s take on content regulation
Social Media Platform
The company weighed in the debate by publishing a white paper presented a new regulatory framework in governing online content that strikes the balance in minimizing harm and upholding freedom of speech [more].17.02.2020: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg meets high-level EU officials in Brussels
European Commission
According to Politico, Mark Zuckerberg met with Margrethe Vestager and Věra Jourová, Vice Presidents of the European Commission, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, on 17 February. Jourová stated: “Facebook cannot push away all the responsibility” [more].
19.02.2020: More transparency in Europe’s digital future
European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need for more transparency in social media in the op-ed Shaping Europe’s digital future: “Big commercial digital players must accept their responsibility, including by letting Europeans access the data they collect.” [more].19.02.2020: Launch of the consultation on “European Strategy for Data”
European Commission
In order to collect opinions on a strategy for data, the European Commission has opened a public consultation until May 31, 2020. The idea of the strategy is to create a single European data space and facilitate access to information to boost growth and create value [more].19.02.2020: The European Commission (EC) launched a consultation on White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
European Commission
Until May 31, 2020 all relevant stakeholders may provide their opinion on a White Paper on AI. The White Paper proposes measures to streamline research and increase investment into AI. Moreover, it suggests options for EU regulatory frameworks in this field [more].03.03.2020: UN’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
European Commission
Vice-president Jourová meets Twitter, Microsoft, Facebook and Google in a meeting to discuss the
challenge of disinformation and COVID-19. Jourová leads the commission’s work on transparency and
values. [more]16.03.2020: Twitter’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
17.03.2020: Member from Ursula von der Leyne cabinet Kurt Vandenberghe holds videoconference.
European Commission
Cabinet member Kurt Vandenberghe holds videoconference with OLX Global BV on Digital Services
Act, digital identity, and platform-to-business regulation. [more]25.03.2020: Facebook’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
27.03.2020: VP Jourová meets with big corporations to discuss disinformation
European Commission
Following up on her meeting in the beginning of the month, Jourová meet with big corporations such
as Twitter, Microsoft, Facebook, LinkedIn, Mozilla and Google to discuss the challenge that
disinformation poses during COVID-19 outbreak. [more]31.03.2020: The EU’s Statement Against COVID-19’s Misinformation
European Commission
It assured the public on working with social media platforms to notice and take down misinformation. It reminds people to rely on authoritative sources for health information.[more]14.04.2020: UN’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
United Nations
Launched and identifies info-demic as COVID-19 misinformation. Urges people to trust in science and institutions on accessing COIVID-19’s information. [more]15.04.2020: Commissioner Breton had a video conference with Google
European Commission
Commissioner Thierry Breton and several of his cabinet official Filomena Chirico attended a video
conference with Google to discuss ‘tracing apps and privacy of individuals’. [more]15.04.2020: The IMCO publishes recommendations to the Commission on the DSA
European Parliament
The European Parliaments Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
publishes a draft report with recommendations to the Commission on the DSA about the functioning
of the Single Market. [more]16.04.2020: EU launches its approach for contact tracing apps
European Commission
To support a gradual lifting of the confinement measures following the COVID-19 outbreak, the
member states and the EU Commission has developed a toolbox for the use of mobile applications
for contact tracing and warning of citizens. [more]22.04.2020: The Committee on Legal Affairs publishes a draft report to the Commission on Digital Services Act
European Parliament
This report provides recommendations on adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online. [more]
27.04.2020: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs publishes a draft report on fundamental rights issues posed by the Digital Services Act
European Parliament
This report aims to provide input on the elements which should be included in the DSA from a fundamental rights and data protection perspective. [more]
04.05.2020: Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Meeting
European Parliament - IMCO
Agenda: 1) DSA: “Improving the functioning of the Single Market” and 2) DSA: “Adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online”. [more]
07.09.2020: Regulating Digital Technology: Arcep outlines new digital regulation
Arcep
Arcep is responding to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Digital Services Act. It is urging the European Union to adopt ex ante regulation on structuring platforms. Arcep is proposing a toolkit of “remedies” that draws inspiration from the approach that has been successfully implemented in the telecoms sector for several decades. If some of these remedies can be applied to every large digital platform (notably those that seek to ensure these players are more transparent with their users, be they consumers or businesses), most should be employed on a case-by-case basis, in a targeted and proportionate fashion. [more]
08.09.2020: Microsoft Response to Digital Services Act Consultation Proposal for Ex Ante Regulation of Gatekeeper Platforms
Microsoft
Arcep is responding to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Digital Services Act. It is urging the European Union to adopt ex ante regulation on structuring platforms. Arcep is proposing a toolkit of “remedies” that draws inspiration from the approach that has been successfully implemented in the telecoms sector for several decades. If some of these remedies can be applied to every large digital platform (notably those that seek to ensure these players are more transparent with their users, be they consumers or businesses), most should be employed on a case-by-case basis, in a targeted and proportionate fashion. [more]
28.10.2020: Google: The Digital Services Act must not harm Europe’s economic recovery
Google
Arcep is responding to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Digital Services Act. It is urging the European Union to adopt ex ante regulation on structuring platforms. Arcep is proposing a toolkit of “remedies” that draws inspiration from the approach that has been successfully implemented in the telecoms sector for several decades. If some of these remedies can be applied to every large digital platform (notably those that seek to ensure these players are more transparent with their users, be they consumers or businesses), most should be employed on a case-by-case basis, in a targeted and proportionate fashion. [more]
18.11.2020: Companies plead with EU regulators for action on Google
Kristie Pladson: “Unfair practices will help Google destroy its competition before the EU can approve antitrust legislation, a group of businesses has warned. The tech giant says it’s just giving people what they want.” [more]
24.11.2020: DOT Europe Publishes: “Introduction of a Governance Body”
DOT Europe
This paper focuses on the potential need for an oversight structure to ensure the effectiveness of the Online Responsibility Framework for internet users. We believe that a robust governance system is required and that oversight is not just advisable, but is a necessary component of the DSA. [more]
24.11.2020: European Democracy Action Plan presented to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU.
European Commission
This paper focuses on the potential need for an oversight structure to ensure the effectiveness of the Online Responsibility Framework for internet users. We believe that a robust governance system is required and that oversight is not just advisable, but is a necessary component of the DSA. [more]
03.12.2020: European Democracy Action Plan presented to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU.
European Commission
This paper focuses on the potential need for an oversight structure to ensure the effectiveness of the Online Responsibility Framework for internet users. We believe that a robust governance system is required and that oversight is not just advisable, but is a necessary component of the DSA. [more]
07.12.2020: European Commission publishes ranking guidelines under the P2B Regulation to increase transparency of online search results
European Commission
The European Commission published guidelines for online platforms on how to improve the transparency of their ranking parameters. These guidelines complement the ranking transparency requirements under the EU Platform-to-Business Regulation (P2B). According to Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, these guidelines will “increase fairness in the online platform economy, which drives innovation and welfare for millions of Europeans”. [more]
08.12.2020: DOT Europe publishes two reactions to the DSA
European Commission
DOT Europe publishes two reactions to the DSA: Due Diligence Obligations in the DSA: DOT Europe Questions for Consideration, and DOT Europe Summary: Limited Liability and the Active-Passive Question. “The DSA is an opportunity to get the legal framework right -to address concerns in the online space while ensuring innovative services can thrive and citizens feel protected. Going forward, we urge policy-makers to keep the delicate balance and the overall purpose of the e-Commerce Directive in mind when considering what is really needed for the future.” [more]
09.12.2020: Crossroads for the Open Internet: Joint Statement by Twitter, Mozilla, Automattic, and Vimeo
Twitter, Mozilla, Automattic, Vimeo
“We encourage a content moderation discussion that emphasises the difference between illegal and harmful content and highlights the potential of interventions that address how content is surfaced and discovered. Included in this is how consumers are offered real choice in the curation of their online environment.” [more]
15.12.2020: Summary Report on the open public consultation on the Digital Services Act Package (02/06-08/09/20) available online
European Commission
European Commission ran from June 2 to September 8 2020 a public consultation aiming at informing the Commission’s proposals for DSA and DMA. The consultation covered issues such as online safety, freedom of expression, fairness and digital economy. The consultation sought to gather views, evidence and data from people, businesses, online platforms, academics, civil society, and all interested parties to help shape the future rulebook of digital services. In December 2020 a summary report was published. [more]
15.12.2020: Commission proposes new rules for digital platforms
European Commission
The Commission proposed two sets of regulations – Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act. Margrethe Vestager emphasized that the updated set of rules will ensure safe consumption and competition online. (190 characters). [more]
15.12.2020: The Commission opened the adopted DSA for the public feedback
European Commission
The adopted DSA pushes for an increased and clarified set of regulations for digital services. The DSA aims to ensure users’ safety from illegal content, goods and services, and to guarantee fundamental rights’ online protection. The feedback can be given by a wider audience. [more]
16-31.12.2020: DSA open for public feedback: deepening the internal market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services
European Commission
The adopted DSA pushes for an increased and clarified set of regulations for digital services. The DSA aims to ensure users’ safety from illegal content, goods and services, and to guarantee fundamental rights’ online protection. The feedback can be given by a wider audience. [more]
16-31.12.2020: DSA open for public feedback: ex-ante regulatory instrument of very large online platforms acting as gatekeepers
European Commission
The adopted DSA pushes for an increased and clarified set of regulations for digital services. The DSA aims to ensure users’ safety from illegal content, goods and services, and to guarantee fundamental rights’ online protection. The feedback can be given by a wider audience. [more]
16.12.20: Impact assessment of the Digital Services Act
European Commission
European Commission releases an impact assessment of DSA. The impact assessment report analyses three problems and their drives: the increasing risks and harms that citizens are exposed online, the supervision of online platforms more broadly is to a large extent uncoordinated and ineffective in the EU and the fact that member states started regulating digital services at national level creating new challenges in the international market. [more]
17.12.20: DOT Europe gathers leading reps of EU institutions to digest the DSA
DOT Europe
Siada El Ramly, Director General of DOT Europe: “If developed and implemented in the right way, the Digital Services Act has the potential to deliver a more robust framework for online content moderation. There remains however significant detail to be ironed out and the process is still at an early stage. There is already an existing body of online content legislation at national and EU-level and it will be crucial that the DSA works coherently with all the rules already in place. The principles of the eCommerce Directive remain a strong and important base for the development of future rules and we should build upon its foundations with the Digital Services Act.” [more]
23.12.20: Free flow of data -Digital Services Act -Digital Markets Act -Transatlantic cooperation in the field of technologies with Facebook Ireland Limited (FB-I)
Zaneta Vegnere, Cabinet member of Valdis Dombrovskis
In end of December 2020, Zaneta Vegnere, part of the cabinet of Valdis Dombrosvski, chair at the Commissioners’ Group on an Economy that Works for People, had a meeting with Facebook Ireland Limited (FB-I) about free flow of data, including the DSA, DMA and the Transatlantic cooperation in the field of technologies. [more]
28.01.21: Connect University Online Session: An overview on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act
Connect University
CONNECT University is the knowledge-sharing flagship initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General on Communication Networks, Content and Technologies (DG Connect) and on January 28th, the organization hosted an online event to present the two legislative initiatives that encompass a comprehensive set of new rules for all digital services in the European Union: the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). [more]
04.02.21: President von der Leyen at the ‘Masters of Digital 2021‘ event: ‘The 2020s can be Europe’s Digital Decade’
European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of coherent rules for digital businesses. “For years, our digital businesses have dealt with way more obstacles than their competitors abroad. So we are creating a single set of rules for all digital businesses operating in Europe. This is why we have just presented two new pieces of legislation. The Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. The Digital Services Act defines the responsibilities of all digital actors operating in Europe. And the Digital Markets Act will ensure that the online world remains a space of innovation and accessible to all players, big and small. These are just the first steps, and more are following.” [more]
05.02.21: DOT Europe publishes preliminary remarks on the DSA
DOT Europe
“When reading the DSA proposal, DOT Europe urges policy-makers to keep the existing body of EU law in mind, consider what rules already exist and how they should be complemented, not only what rules might be “missing” or need to be revised.” [more]