A crucial step for a cleaned Internet: The Digital Services Act (DSA)

Until now, the Internet has often resembled a lawless Wild West in which hatred and agitation could proliferate unhindered.
But now a new law is coming into force that is supposed to bring about a change: the Digital Services Act (DSA). An ambitious step that is not only intended to make virtual space safer, but will also cause political controversy.

The stage for hate is shrinking

At a time when the World Wide Web has become an integral part of our lives, it is essential to eliminate the dark side of the Internet. This is exactly where the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) comes into play. The member states reached an agreement a year ago, and now the European Parliament and the Commission are also pulling together. Margrethe Vestager, then EU Commissioner for Digital, emphasizes the urgency of implementing the law. Without clear implementation, the law is a blunt sword.

Online hate under surveillance

The time of impunity for hate and hate speech online should be over. The Digital Services Act (DSA) ensures that illegal content disappears from the Internet more quickly. Users have the option to request that online platforms delete illegal content so that it can be prosecuted.

But the law is not limited to this: the operators of the platforms are also obliged to report suspicious criminal activities to the authorities. The rules are particularly strict for large Internet platforms, so-called “gatekeepers”. These include companies with at least 45 million users in the EU and are subject to increased supervision.

Responsibility of the “gatekeepers”

According to the Brussels Commission, 17 providers fall into the “gatekeeper” category, including Apple, Amazon, Google, TikTok and the former Twitter, now “X”. These companies have a responsibility to provide special protection to minors, especially from child pornographic material. They also need to be aware of the psychological impact of internet use on children and ensure that targeted advertising no longer appeals to children.

Overall, the “gatekeepers” should maintain a precise overview of the content being distributed, ensure greater transparency and reduce the spread of misinformation. The EU Commission demands accountability from them.

Controversy in the Service of Democracy

While the Digital Services Act (DSA) is seen as a groundbreaking step towards cleaning up the Internet, there are also critical voices. Patrick Breyer, a member of the Pirate Party, warns that countries could now have content deleted that is only illegal on their territory but is accepted elsewhere. Such a scenario could lead to Europe-wide conflicts. However, the EU argues that a less hateful, more humane and more democratic internet is worth these potential conflicts.

Penalties for violations and a look into the future

The Digital Services Act (DSA) places greater responsibility not only on platforms, but also on the companies that operate them. Violations of the new European rules can result in severe fines. However, the exact definition of a violation and the question of when content must be deleted are individual decisions that may be taken to court. These disputes could drag on, but from Brussels' perspective, the Digital Services Act (DSA) is an important step towards a more transparent and less hateful internet.

Conclusion: On the way to a cleaned network

While the introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA) will undoubtedly pose political and practical challenges, it represents an important step towards a safer, fairer and more democratic internet. The days of impunity for online hate may soon be upon us become a thing of the past and the “gatekeepers” of the virtual world are held accountable.

The Internet as we know it will change, and while controversy is inevitable, the prospect of a clean and responsible Internet is a goal we should strive for together.

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )