The EU has reached an agreement on the adoption of the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at increasing the responsibility of tech giants in matters of recommender algorithms and targeted advertising.
Today’s agreement on #DSA is historical.
Our new rules will protect users online, ensure freedom of expression and opportunities for businesses.
What is illegal offline will effectively be illegal online in the EU.
A strong signal for people, business & countries worldwide.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 23, 2022
The final version of the law has not yet been published, but the European Commission told about its key details.
DSA pays maximum attention to large platforms that have at least 45 million users in the EU. Among them are Meta and Google.
Under the new law, ads must not be targeted based on religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or political affiliation. It is also prohibited to show personalized ads to minors.
Based on the new rules, online platforms will have to disclose information about the operation of content display systems to users. And users should have alternative systems “not based on profiling”. Accordingly, large social networks will return chronological methods for displaying content.
Ursula von der Leyen
Tech giants are also required to share “key” data with vetted researchers and non-governmental organizations so they can assess “evolution of online risks.”
If these rules are not followed, the company can be fined up to 6% of its global turnover.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also added that the agreement reached is historic in terms of speed and content.
“This is a guarantee that the online environment will remain a safe space, guaranteeing freedom of expression and opportunities for digital business,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
Google reacted to the bill and supported bill, expressing readiness to take part in the development of the final text.
The law will enter into force 15 months after the vote, but no later than January 1, 2024.
