The New EU Digital Services Act and How it Addresses Harmful or Illegal (Terrorist) Content Online

• Jurisdiction: European Union

Speaker

Athina Tsitsou is a dedicated Legal and Policy Officer at the Digital Services Unit, part of the Programme Office & Societal Aspects team within DG Communications Networks, Content, and Technology at the European Commission in Brussels. With her expertise, she plays a crucial role in shaping digital policies and regulations, ensuring a robust framework for the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Topic

This comprehensive e-presentation offers an in-depth exploration of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a significant piece of legislation that aims to regulate the digital landscape in the European Union. The DSA represents a crucial step towards establishing a structured framework for online intermediaries, addressing various aspects related to their operations and responsibilities.

The DSA introduces a set of groundbreaking provisions that bring about substantial changes in the way online intermediaries operate. These provisions primarily focus on matters of liability and due diligence obligations. The DSA clarifies the responsibilities of online intermediaries in terms of content moderation and the prevention of illegal activities on their platforms. It establishes clear guidelines on how these platforms should manage user-generated content, thereby ensuring a safer and more accountable digital environment.

One of the key aspects illuminated in this e-presentation is the DSA's approach to supervised risk management for very large platforms. It outlines the unique challenges that come with the immense scale of these platforms and provides specific measures to mitigate potential risks and harm to users. By implementing stringent risk management practices, the DSA seeks to enhance the overall safety and trustworthiness of digital services provided by such platforms.

Accountability is another paramount element emphasized in this presentation. The DSA sets forth mechanisms to hold digital service providers accountable for their actions. This includes the establishment of robust reporting procedures, mechanisms for users to seek redress, and the requirement for companies to appoint designated contact points to facilitate communication with authorities....