A timeline of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA)
DOT Europe publishes preliminary remarks on the DSA
“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]
05.02.21: Publication
President von der Leyen at the ‘Masters of Digital 2021‘ event: ‘The 2020s can be Europe’s Digital Decade’
“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]
04.02.21: Statement
Connect University Online Session: An overview of the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act
CONNECT University is the knowledge-sharing flagship initiative of the European Commission’s DG Connect. In the open session, the initiative presented the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). [more]
28.01.21: Event
Free flow of data: Transatlantic cooperation in the field of technologies with Facebook Ireland Limited (FB-I)
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 the free flow of data, including the DSA, DMA and the Transatlantic cooperation in the field of technologies [more]
23.12.20: Meeting
DOT Europe gathers leading reps of EU institutions to digest the DSA
Saida El Ramly, Director General of DOT Europe: “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]
17.12.20: Event
DSA open for public feedback: deepening the internal market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services
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: Feedback
DSA open for public feedback: ex-ante regulatory instrument of very large online platforms acting as gatekeepers
The complete control of the companies owning such platforms over the online ecosystems results in imbalanced online market competition, while big companies have become gatekeepers between smaller businesses and consumers. The feedback can be given by a wider audience
[more]
16-31.12.2020: Feedback
Impact assessment of the Digital Services Act released
The impact assessment report analyses three problems: the increasing risks and harms online, the uncoordinated and ineffective supervision of online platforms in the EU and how member states regulating digital services at national level creates new challenges in the international market [more]
16.12.20: Publication
Summary Report on the open public consultation on the DSA Package available
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. [more]
15.12.2020: Report
The Commission opened the adopted DSA for the public feedback
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]
15.12.2020: Consultation
Commission proposes new rules for digital platforms
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: Historic
Crossroads for the Open Internet: Twitter, Mozilla, Automattic, and 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]
09.12.2020: Joint Statement
DOT Europe publishes two reactions to the DSA
“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]
08.12.2020: Publication
European Commission publishes ranking guidelines under the P2B Regulation to increase the transparency of online search results
These guidelines complement the ranking transparency requirements under the EU Platform-to-Business Regulation (P2B). According to Executive VP Margrethe Vestager, these guidelines will “increase fairness in the online platform economy, which drives innovation and welfare for millions of Europeans” [more].
07.12.2020: Publication
European Democracy Action Plan presented to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU.
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: Publication
European Democracy Action Plan presented to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU.
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: Publication
DOT Europe Publishes: “Introduction of a Governance Body”
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: Publication
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]
18.11.2020: News Article
Cybersecurity: Commission urges Belgium, Hungary and Romania to comply with their obligations regarding operators of essential services
The Commission sent reasoned opinions to Belgium, Hungary and Romania regarding their failure to notify the Commission with information related to the identification of operators of essential services due 9/11/18. It is needed to assess the consistency different Member States take when identifying operators of essential services [more].
30.10.20: Press Release
Google: The Digital Services Act must not harm Europe’s economic recovery
Karan Bhatia: “At Google, we put innovation and continuous improvement at the heart of everything we do. While we support the ambition of the DSA to create clear rules for the next 20 years that support economic growth, we worry that the new rules may instead slow economic recovery.” [more]
28.10.2020: Statement
European Parliament votes in favor of report that claims prohibition of personalised advertising within the frame of the DSA
Plenary of European Parliament votes in favor of a report that claims a prohibition of personalised, targeted advertisement within the frame of the Digital Services Act. The Commission intends to work out a proposal which considers this and other reports passed by the European Parliament until the end of 2020 [more].
20.10.20: Legislation
Towards a next generation cloud for Europe
The European Commission and the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union welcome the political will expressed by all 27 Member States on the next generation cloud for Europe. This secure and competitive cloud offering is essential to provide the trustworthy data processing infrastructure and services that public administrations, businesses and citizens require in Europe [more].
15.10.20: News Article
Brussels’ plan to rein in Big Tech takes shape
EU Commission considers a blacklist of banned behavior and a whitelist of obligations in four key services: app stores, marketplaces and social networks, which all come under “online intermediation services; online search engines; operating systems; and cloud services [more].
30.09.20: Initiative
Web Accessibility Directive: websites of public sector bodies must be accessible as of now
23 September 2020 marked an important milestone for internet users with disabilities. The Web Accessibility Directive has to be implemented by the public sector across the EU, so public websites are accessible for persons with disabilities [more].
22.09.20: Directive
EU Commission increases pressure on Amazon, Google & Co.
The EU plans to strengthen public scrutiny of platforms proportionally. Besides ex-ante regulation, an evaluation system is considered. Stakeholders and the public can rank and evaluate platforms according to their record of tax payments or removal of illegal/harmful content in order to improve supervision [more].
20.09.20: News Article
Microsoft Response to Digital Services Act Consultation Proposal for Ex Ante Regulation of Gatekeeper Platforms
Microsoft states any regulation must carefully balance competing interests. It should avoid interventions that could hinder innovation and harm consumer welfare, and it should include procedural and substantive safeguards that protect the rights of defence of those impacted [more]
08.09.2020: Press Release
Regulating Digital Technology: Arcep outlines new digital regulation
Arcep urges the EU to adopt ex-ante regulation on structuring platforms. Arcep proposed a toolkit of “remedies” that draws inspiration from the telecoms sector. If some of these remedies can be applied to every large digital platform, in a targeted, case-by-case and proportionate fashion [more].
07.09.2020: Press Release
Google responds to European Commission public consultation
Google seeks clarification regarding tech company responsibilities and urges the EU to adopt a regulatory approach tailored to the range of services offered by the tech industry [more].
03.09.20: Statement
Cybersecurity: Commission report details policies and skills needed for a more secure digital society
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the Commission issued a report on ‘Cybersecurity – our Digital anchor. A European perspective’. It looks at the growth of cybersecurity over the last 40 years and identifies where the EU could improve in this field, for the benefit of businesses and citizens
24.07.20: Report
EU Observatory on the Online Platform Economy publishes progress reports
“The independent expert group of the Observatory on the Online Platform Economy has published […] three draft progress reports, and are seeking stakeholder feedback” (until 8 September 2020). They will provide evidence for the Commission’s work on the Digital Services Act [more].
10.07.20: Report
New EU rules and guidance for a fairer online economy
The Commission published a set of resources to provide businesses with information on how to benefit from the new Platform to Business rules
10.07.20: Publication
“Fostering qualitative media by rewarding reliable sources” Launch
The European Commission launched a pilot project in the framework of the Journalism Trust Initiative, coordinated by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF). The aim is to design, test, and launch a self-assessment tool for media outlets online [more].
01.07.20: Pilot Project
The European Digital Media Observatory second phase: the call for proposals for the creation of national hubs on digital media is out
The second phase of the project will fund 9 million EUR through the Connecting Europe Facility for the creation of national/multinational digital media research hubs across Europe
30.06.20: Initiative
Commission launches public consultation on digital access to European cultural heritage
The public is invited to provide feedback on the Recommendation of 2011 on digitising cultural material and digital preservation. The aim is to propose a more appropriate policy instrument to support the digital transformation of cultural heritage [more].
22.06.20: Consultation
TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer and Commissioner Breton hold Videoconference
In a video call on the DSA consultation and measures taken to counter disinformation, Mayer committed to fight illegal and harmful content and disinformation while Breton invited TikTok to join the EU’s code of conduct [more].
09.06.20: Video Conference
Big brands bring the fight to Big Tech
Luxury goods pressure for a ban of counterfeit goods on social networks. “There shouldn’t be anything controversial about removing illegal goods and it’s in everyone’s interest to address this issue,” said Michelle Gibbons, the director general of the European brands association AIM [more].
08.06.20: News Article
Commission conducts an impact assessment for the regulation of large online platforms in the Digital Services Act (2)
The public is asked to provide feedback on framing responsibilities of digital services to address the risks faced by their users and to protect their fundamental rights online in order to deepen the digital internal market [more].
02.06.20: Consultation
Commission conducts an impact assessment for the regulation of large online platforms in the Digital Services Act (1)
The public is asked to provide feedback for 4 weeks in order to identify the scope of the DSA in regulating large online platforms as gatekeepers and ensuring that markets impacted by them remain fair and competitive [more].
02.06.20: Consultation
End of Consultations: European Strategy for data
In the process of creating a single European data space, the Commission opened an online consultation survey on the 19th of February. The project touches upon topics such as data privacy, big data and the shaping of the digital single market [more].
31.05.20: Consultation
Livestream Debate between Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook (CEO) and Commissioner Thierry Breton
While Zuckerberg called for Western democratic governments to set standards for platform regulation around the world, Breton warned him more regulation facing Facebook, should the platform fail to meet concerns about its business practices and its policies on inter alia hate speech and disinformation [more].
18.05.20: Livestream Debate
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Meeting
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]
04.05.2020: Meeting
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs publishes a draft report on fundamental rights issues posed by the Digital Services Act
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]
27.04.2020: Report
The Committee on Legal Affairs publishes a draft report to the Commission on Digital Services Act
This report provides recommendations on adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online. [more]
22.04.2020: Report
EU launches its approach for contact tracing apps
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]16.04.2020: Initiative
The IMCO publishes recommendations to the Commission on the DSA
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]15.04.2020: Publication
Commissioner Breton had a video conference with Google
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: Meeting
The EU’s Statement Against COVID-19’s Misinformation
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]31.03.2020: Statement
VP Jourová meets with big corporations to discuss disinformation
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]27.03.2020: Meeting
Facebook’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
Assures the public on noticing and taking down misinformation. Also, app pop ups for COVID-19 information from authoritative institutions. [more]25.03.2020: Initiative
Commissioner Thierry met with Google, Netflix, and Disney
The central topic of the meetings was “Telecon – Preserving the smooth functioning of the internet” [more].
19.03.20: Meeting
Twitter’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
Assures the public on noticing and taking down misinformation. Emphasizes on exercising human review checks in place of permanently suspending identified accounts. [more]16.03.2020: Initiative
End of Consultations: Internal Market Procedures under the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)
The procedure aims to ensure that the regulation is consistent across the European Union and are applicable to the consultation of the DSA. The consultation mainly targeted the NRAs and the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), but it was also open to third-party feedback. [more].
09.03.20: Consultation
Publication of Eurobarometer on the impact of digitalization on daily life
The survey collects public opinion on topics such as disinformation, data sharing and AI. Commissioner Thierry Breton described the findings as a “strong signal” that the EU’s digital strategy is perceived as “the right way to go”. [more].
05.03.20: Publication
The European Commission (EC) launched a consultation on White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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].19.02.2020: Consultation
Launch of the consultation on “European Strategy for Data”
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: Consultation
More transparency in Europe’s digital future
President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need for more transparency in social media in her 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: Statement
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg meets high-level EU officials in Brussels
Statements about the meeting include: “Facebook cannot push away all the responsibility” (Věra Jourová), “it’s not for us to adapt to those companies, but for them to adapt to us” (Thierry Breton) [more].
17.02.2020: Meeting
Facebook’s take on content regulation
In a new white paper, Facebook 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: Publication
Von der Leyen Commission takes office and commits to new DSA
Ursula von der Leyen becomes president of the European Commission. Her mandate’s priorities included a new Digital Services Act to increase Europe’s liability and safety rules for digital platforms [more].
01.12.2019: Historical
Thierry Breton says he will not modify limited liability framework
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, committed not to question or modify the limited liability that digital services companies have over content posted on their platforms [more].
14.11.19: Statement