Navigating the Digital Services Act: What business owners need to know

Have you heard? The Digital Services Act (DSA) is now official EU law, as of Saturday 17th January, now applies to all online platforms in Europe. And if you don’t think it’s a big deal, think again – just three days after the DSA coming into law, the EU opened formal proceedings against TikTok under this new legislation.

The legislation represents a significant legislative milestone in the digital landscape, aimed at regulating online platforms and services to foster a safer and more transparent online environment. But it’s not just for the TikToks of this world! This legislation is relevant to businesses of all shapes and sizes, so just because you are or cater to small businesses, don’t fall prey to being non-compliant!

For any and all business owners operating in the digital sphere that captures and processes data (for example, from a web store or a newsletter mailing list), an understanding of and being in compliance with the DSA is essential.

To help you get ahead of the changes, here’s our essential guide to understanding the DSA and the actions business owners need to take to ensure compliance:

The DSA is a legislative initiative by the European Union aimed at modernising the legal framework for digital services. It addresses various aspects of online platforms, including content moderation, transparency, advertising, and user rights.

The primary goal is to establish clear guidelines to promote accountability, safety, and fairness in the digital ecosystem. Or in non-legal terms, meaning that personal data is protected and not processed beyond what was originally consented to.

The European Commission proposed the DSA way back in December 2020 as part of the Digital Services Package. After extensive discussions and revisions, the European Parliament adopted the DSA in late 2022, but member states have now transposed the DSA into national law, ensuring consistent enforcement across the EU – see prior comment about TikTok …

Are you a business owner, or look after the websites of business owners? Here’s what you need to know about the DSA and the 4 key provisions that affect you or your clients:

As you have now established, these four key provisions are important. But we understand if you’re scratching your head thinking, “well, what do I do now?” Fear not – here’s what you need to do now:

Navigating the Digital Services Act requires a proactive approach from business owners to ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards. By understanding the key provisions of the DSA and taking appropriate actions to enhance transparency, accountability, and user rights protection, businesses can mitigate risks and contribute to a safer and more trustworthy digital environment.

The Insites Team