EU's Digital Services Act Stalls a Year After Approval
The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), approved in October 2022, aims to rein in tech giants' power and promote democratic control. However, its full potential remains untapped, and implementation has been slow, with many platforms resisting data access requests.
On October 4, 2022, the EU Council formally approved the DSA, a landmark regulation intended to hold online platforms accountable. Yet, a year later, its full potential is yet to be realized. Oliver Marsh from AlgorithmWatch hopes for better utilization by the next anniversary.
The DSA mandates platforms to make public data accessible for research 'without undue delay'. However, many platforms have been reluctant or slow to comply. NGOs like AlgorithmWatch, Mozilla Foundation, and DSA40 Data Access Collaboratory launched a 'mass request' to major online platforms for daily overviews of viral posts in each EU member state. Despite the clear requirement, implementation has been inadequate, with platforms often refusing or providing low-quality data.
The DSA's effective application is considered crucial given the growing risks from opaque algorithms and tech CEOs' ties with anti-democratic forces. The organizations emphasize their readiness to legally challenge any refusal of their data requests. They also note that current developments like AI summaries in search engines are not yet considered within the DSA's framework.
The EU's Digital Services Act, though approved a year ago, has yet to be fully exploited. NGOs are pushing for better implementation, highlighting the need for platforms to comply with data access requests. They also call for the DSA's scope to be expanded to include emerging technologies like AI summaries. The organizations stand ready to challenge any resistance from tech giants.
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