Context: 

Major tech companies in Europe like Google, Facebook etc are facing a challenge in cleaning up online content as the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) takes effect on August 25.About Digital Services Act (DSA):

• It was passed by the European Parliament in July 2022. 
• It is a comprehensive set of rules designed to enhance online safety and transparency for European Union (EU) users. 
• Key provisions of the DSA:
  • Content Regulation: DSA mandates online platforms to actively prevent and remove illegal or harmful content, including hate speech, terrorism, and child abuse. 
  • Targeted Advertising Restrictions: Online platforms are prohibited from using a person’s characteristics like sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs for targeted advertising. 
  • Safeguarding Children: They are safeguarded from excessive or inappropriate ads through ad targeting restrictions.
  • Algorithm Transparency: Platforms must disclose how their algorithms function and impact the content they display.
  • Stricter Rules for Large Platforms: Large online platforms, reaching over 10% of the EU population must share data with researchers and authorities, cooperate in crisis responses, and undergo external audits.
  • Compliance Deadlines: Large platforms must comply with these regulations within four months of the Act’s agreement, which occurred in April.

Importance of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for India and other non-EU regions:

• Global Standard for Online Rights: The DSA serves as a potential global benchmark for safeguarding fundamental online rights, even though it’s an EU regulation.
• Balanced Liability for Intermediaries: DSA establishes a balanced approach to intermediary liability for protecting internet users’ rights and fostering responsible online behavior.
• Broad Impact on Tech Products: As evidenced by the USB Type-C port adoption in the iPhone 15 series worldwide, regulations driven by the DSA can have a broad impact on tech products and standards, even outside the EU.

News Source: The Indian Express