On 16 November 2022, the Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force. The main objectives of the DSA are to provide better online protection for consumers and their fundamental rights, to create a robust transparency and accountability framework for online platforms, and to promote innovation, growth, and competitiveness within the Single Market.
Intermediary service providers, hosting services, online platforms, and very large online platforms (VLOPs) are covered by the Act, with rules and obligations tailored to their role, size, and impact in the online environment.
The Act provides for measures to combat illegal goods, services, or content online, new obligations on traceability of business users, effective consumer protection measures, a ban on certain types of targeted advertising within online platforms, transparency measures for online platforms, obligations for very large platforms, access for researchers to key data, a supervisory structure tailored to the complex structure of the online space.
It is important to note that the new rules shall be complied with by all online intermediaries offering their services in the Single Мarket, whether they are established in the EU or outside of it.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) shall be adopted by the Member States by 2024 at the latest.