EU's Digital Services Act Rolls Out, Tech Sector Awaits Clarity
The European Commission is actively rolling out the Digital Services Act (DSA), with key aspects like trusted flaggers, dark patterns, and ad repositories still awaiting clear guidance. The tech sector eagerly anticipates regulatory clarity to ensure the DSA's success.
Since the start of the year, the Commission has launched five DSA-related consultations, each with a four-week feedback window. Companies, however, face uncertainty due to delayed guidance and unclear methodologies for calculating 'average monthly active recipients of the service in the Union'.
The DSA, set to apply to all online platforms, search engines, and intermediaries in its scope in a few months, has already designated the first batch of 'very large online platforms' (VLOPs) and 'very large online search engines' (VLOSEs). These companies had just four months to comply. The Commission is expected to announce new VLOPs and VLOSEs next month, based on platforms exceeding 45 million average monthly active users in the EU.
With other companies having until 17 February 2024 to prepare for DSA compliance, cooperation between the Commission, national authorities, and online intermediaries is crucial. Predictability and clear guidance are essential for companies to adapt to the DSA's requirements and ensure its successful implementation.
