Article from Security Magazine
The European Union has adopted legislation requiring online services to implement risk management practices in order to limit the distribution of illegal goods, services or content, misinformation and disinformation.
The Digital Services Act (DSA), agreed a month after the Digital Markets Act, aims to improve user security on online platforms, including social media networks, online businesses, internet access providers, webhosting services and major search engines.
Security implications of the Digital Services Act
Online platforms operating in the EU will be responsible for handling content and protecting users, as defined by legislation. The DSA contains measures to combat fraud and disinformation, including new obligations for the traceability of e-commerce users; transparency of data about online risk; independent risk audits of online platforms; and the ability to challenge platform content moderation decisions either in or out of court.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the DSA will update the operating rules for online services in the European Union. According to von der Leyen, "It will ensure that the online environment remains a safe space, protecting freedom of expression and opportunities for digital businesses. It gives practical effect to the principle that what is illegal offline should be illegal online."".
DSA in action
Once this act is formally adopted by the DSA co-legislators, it will apply across the EU either 15 months after its adoption or on 1 January 2024.
"This is a step in the right direction – while businesses and consumers benefit from these large platforms, it is important to keep their power in check. The archaic US laws put in place in the late 1990s are not relevant in 2022."", said Mandar Shinde, data privacy expert and CEO of Blotout.
EU Parliament member Alexandra Green has already spoken about the legislation with representatives from India and Japan, the New York Times reported. According to Shinde, however, adoption could take longer in the United States.
“Steps can be taken to hold [online services] accountable like this new legislation passed by the EU, but the United States has been slow to make progress on this front. The Digital Services Act ensures that consumers and businesses benefit while being protected, even if the cost to shareholders – which has really been the focus of the iv"We are sorry for these companies."