EU Set to Unveil Digital Services Act for Harmonized Content Moderation
The European Commission is set to unveil the Digital Services Act (DSA) next week, aiming to harmonize rules for digital services and content moderation across the EU. This comes as digital platforms play an increasingly significant role in cross-border trade and the removal of illegal content.
The DSA seeks to balance new obligations for digital services with EU fundamental rights, including freedom of speech. It aims to create a safer digital environment while preserving users' rights.
Currently, the lack of a unified EU approach to illegal content leads to fragmentation and risks to fundamental rights. Digital services already remove millions of pieces of illegal content annually, often proactively. However, the varying standards across platforms have raised concerns. For instance, while platforms like eBay have facilitated cross-border trade, with 98% of its small EU businesses exporting, others like Spotify have faced criticism for inadequate content moderation.
The DSA is expected to define clear responsibilities for digital intermediaries, improving both businesses' operations and consumers' protection. It could also boost the EU digital single market, with over 10,000 high-growth online platforms in Europe, a 40% increase since 2018.
The upcoming DSA promises to clarify responsibilities and harmonize rules for digital services, fostering a safer and more unified digital market in the EU. This could further boost cross-border trade and protect users' rights, while also addressing concerns about content moderation.
