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A Europe fit for the digital age: new online rules for users

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The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act create a safer and more open digital space for all users, where their fundamental rights are protected and where they have access to quality digital services at lower prices.

A safer online environment

Today, online platforms can be misused to spread illegal content such as hate speech, terrorist content or child sexual abuse material, as well as sell dangerous goods and counterfeit products, or to offer illegal services, exposing citizens to harm.

Better protected consumers

Today, the fundamental rights of European citizens are not adequately protected online. Platforms can for example decide to delete users’ content, without informing the user or providing a possibility of redress. This has strong implications for users’ freedom of speech.

What the new Digital Services Act changes:

  • Users are informed about, and can contest removal of content by platforms
  • Users will have access to dispute resolution mechanisms in their own country
  • Transparent terms and conditions for platforms
  • More safety and better knowledge of the real sellers of products that users buy
  • Stronger obligations for very large online platforms to assess and mitigate risks at the level of the overall organisation of their service for users’ rights, where restrictions of rights and risks of viral spreading of illegal or harmful content are most impactful
  • Fast crisis response mechanisms with additional risk management measures for public health and security crises
  • New protections for minors
  • Bans on targeted adverts on online platforms directed at minors or using sensitive personal data
  • Access to platforms data for researchers to understand risks on society and fundamental rights

Empowered citizens and users

Today, platforms optimise the presentation of information to capture attention and drive revenue, but their users are often unaware of how their systems sort content and how platforms profile them. The manipulation of recommender systems and abuse of advertising systems can fuel dangerous disinformation and propagation of illegal content.

Quality digital services at lower price

The systemic role of a few online platforms affects the lives of billions of users and millions of companies in Europe. Some companies have a major impact on, control the access to, and are entrenched in digital markets. They can impose unfair take-it-or-leave-it conditions on both their business users and consumers.

What the new Digital Markets Act changes:

  • Ban of unfair practices, opening up the possibility for business users to offer consumers more choices of innovative services
  • Better interoperability with services that are alternatives to those of gatekeepers
  • Easier possibilities for consumers to switch platforms if they wish so
  • Better services and lower prices for consumers